Kahupeka

Kahupeka (sometimes referred to as Kahu, Kahupekapeka or Kahukeke) was a Maori healer in the 1400s who helped pioneer herbal medicine in New Zealand.[1] She is remembered in oral history as a Tainui explorer who travelled the North Island experimenting with herbal medicines.[2] She is well known for her travels throughout New Zealand, and for naming multiple place locations.[3]

Rangiora, also known as the bushman's friend, as depicted by Sarah Featon

She is believed to have journeyed inland from Kawhia, grief-stricken following the death of her husband. While travelling around the Waikato region, she is credited with naming many Waikato landscape features including Mount Pirongia and Te Aroha mountains.[3][4] However, some of these claims are disputed, with many believing her son instead named Mount Pirongia.[1]

Stories suggest she experimented with native plants while attempting to treat an illness, specifically harakeke, koromiko, kawakawa, and rangiora.[2]

Recognition

According to the Royal Society Te Apārangi she is one of the 150 women who made 'valuable contributions to expanding knowledge in Aotearoa/New Zealand'.[1]

References
  1. "Trailblazers: Kahupeka". nzherald.co.nz. 16 September 2018. ISSN 1170-0777. Retrieved 11 October 2019.
  2. "Kahupeka". Royal Society Te Apārangi.
  3. Whiting, Cliff; Taonga, New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu. "Kahupeka". teara.govt.nz. Retrieved 11 October 2019.
  4. Taonga, New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu. "14. – Waikato places – Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand". teara.govt.nz.

In August 2020, the Pūrākau children's series on Māori Television included an episode featuring Kahupeka

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