Pioneer of Maori nursing dies at 93

Putiputi O'Brien has passed away. Photo / Supplied

One of New Zealand's first Maori nurses has been laid to rest.

Hundreds gathered at Ruaihona Marae, Te Teko, last week to farewell Putiputi O'Brien, who died at the age of 93.

She trained as a general and obstetrics nurse at Waikato Hospital School of Nursing from 1941-45.

"In those days, the only way into the remote country areas was by horseback. Nothing was too big a challenge for Puti, who dedicated her life to what she later described as absolutely, positively nursing," Maori Party co-leader and Waiariki MP Te Ururoa Flavell said.

"Puti took up maternity and Plunket care and devoted the next five decades to nursing in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, central North Island and south Waikato areas.

"While she was the 'queen' of Te Teko, Nanny Puti was also known and respected at a national level. If there was nursing - Nanny Puti would be there.

"She was a founding trustee of the Tipu Ora Charitable Trust in 1991, an active supporter of the annual National Maori Student Nurse Hui, and patron of Smokefree Nurses Aotearoa."

In 1987 she was awarded the Queen's Service Order for her contribution to a wide range of community and welfare organisations. She was patron of Te Kaunihera Neehi Maori of Aotearoa since 1984 and a member of Waiariki Institute of Technology's nursing advisory committee.

"She was also a recipient of the Akenehi Hei award from Te Runanga o Aotearoa for her contribution to Maori health," Mr Flavell said. Party co-leader Marama Fox also paid tribute.

"In speaking to Smokefree Nurses, Nanny Puti gifted them with a message of inspiration for health: Kia tiaho, kia puawai te maramatanga - the illumination, the blossoming of enlightenment.

"We think of her passion and commitment to nurses and nursing for well over 60 years as providing the gold star standard for how all of us should think about healthy lifestyles and the quality of care," she said.