Heni Materoa Carroll

Heni Materoa, also known as Te Huinga (1852/56?–1930) was born at Makauri, a few miles north of Turanga (Gisborne). Her father was Mikaera Turangi of the Rongowhakaata tribe. Her mother was Riperata Kahutia, an influential leader of Te Aitangi-a-Mahaki.

In 1881 she married James Carroll, who in 1887 began a long career as Liberal Member of Parliament for Eastern Maori, and served as Minister of Maori Affairs between 1899 and 1912. Heni Materoa's parents disapproved of the marriage, forcing the young couple to elope to Wellington where they were married in the registry office. The couple then moved to Gisborne.

When her mother died in 1887 Heni Materoa-Carroll took over her role as a leader of her people. She achieved great prominence, and was described as one of the great rangatira (chiefs) of Turanganui. She did not join her husband in Wellington after his election to Parliament, but often entertained visiting parliamentarians and leading political figures - including Sir George Grey - at their Gisborne home.

Heni Materoa-Carroll helped to raise funds for Maori soldiers serving abroad during World War I, mainly through the Eastern Maori Patriotic Association, founded by Apirana Ngata. She also worked tirelessly among the local Maori community, notably during the influenza epidemic of 1918, and raised funds and provided land for a children's home named after her. She was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1918. Heni Materoa-Carroll died in November 1930. 

See also: biography of Heni Materoa Carroll at DNZB website