Annie Henry

Annie Henry (25 July 1879–29 July 1971) was a New Zealand Presbyterian missionary who worked among the Maori people. She was born on 25 July 1879.

Personal life
Annie Henry was born at The Narrows, Riverton, Southland, New Zealand in 1879. Her father was Francis Henry, a sawmiller and her mother was Catherine McKillop. When she was 37, the Māori Mission Committee of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand sent her to work in Ruatāhuna. She was described as carrying out the services of a dentist, lawyer, carpenter, plumber and social worker in the isolated community.

Sister Annie, as she was known, never married but adopted two sons: Pekahina Wharekura, and Rata Rāwiri who died aged 18. She retired to Ōhope in 1948. On 29 July 1971 she died in Whakatane aged 92 and was buried at Ruatāhuna.

Honours
In 1937, Annie Henry was awarded the King George VI's Coronation Medal. In 1951, she was made a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in the King's Birthday Honours as recognition of her work with the Tūhoe people.

Legacy
The Sister Annie Henry Scholarship is available to assist with education or training costs for a Maori student directly descended from Reverend John George Laughton or who is of Tūhoe descent.