Quick Facts
Biography
Kahupeka (sometimes referred to as Kahu, Kahupekapeka or Kahukeke) was a Maori healer in the 1400s who helped pioneer herbal medicine in New Zealand. She is remembered in oral history as a Tainui explorer who travelled the North Island experimenting with herbal medicines. She is well known for her travels throughout New Zealand, and for naming multiple place locations.
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. However, some of these claims are disputed, with many believing her son instead named Mount Pirongia.
Stories suggest she experimented with native plants while attempting to treat an illness, specifically harakeke, koromiko, kawakawa, and rangiora.
Recognition
According to the Royal Society of New Zealand she is one of the 150 women who made 'valuable contributions to expanding knowledge in Aotearoa/New Zealand'.