Mārama Russell

Mārama Russell (c. 1875–1952) was a notable New Zealand midwife and tribal leader. Of Māori descent, she identified with the Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whātua and Te Roroa iwi.

Biography

Mārama Moetara was born in Waimamaku, Northland, New Zealand in about 1875. Her father was Hapakuku Moetara, a prominent chief of Ngāti Korokoro and Te Roroa, and the son of Rangatira Moetara, a chief of Ngāti Korokoro. Her mother was Mere Hira, whose father, Te Hira Te Kawau, was the son of Apihai Te Kawau, a paramount chief of Ngāti Whatua.

On 13 March, 1897, she married her husband, Frederick George Russell, nephew of Frederick Nene Russell. They later had 14 children together.

In her mid-30s, Russell became a spiritual healer, midwife, and seer. As a midwife, she was notable for her role in curing infertility, determining the gender of unborn babies, delivering babies, and inducing birth through massage, manipulation, karakia, and potions. As a seer, she was famed for her ability to diagnose and visualise illnesses before symptoms had been described to her.

Russell died at her home at Koutu Point on 8 December, 1952, at the age of 76. She is buried with her husband in Pākanae cemetery, Hokianga.