Whāea Betty Wark: From Uncertain Beginnings to Honoured Community Worker

Authors

  • Helene Connor Unitec, Auckland

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15286/jps.123.2.209-222

Keywords:

Betty Wark, Arohanui Incorporated, Catholicism, Māori women's biography

Abstract

Whāea or “Ma” Betty Wark was a Māori woman who was actively involved with community-based organisations from the 1950s until her death in May 2001. She was particularly well-known as being one of the founders of Arohanui Incorporated which was established in 1976. Its main purpose was to provide accommodation for young homeless Māori and others in need.

Author Biography

Helene Connor, Unitec, Auckland

Helene Connor is of Māori, Irish and English descent. She has whakapapa (genealogy) links to Te Atiawa and Ngati Ruanui iwi (tribes) and Ngati Rahiri and Ngati Te Whiti hapÅ« (sub-tribes). Helene is a Senior Lecturer and Programme Director for the Social Practice Postgraduate Programmes in the Department of Social Practice, Unitec, New Zealand.

Her research interests are in developing feminist theoretical perspectives and research methodologies to research issues of relevance and interest to wahine Māori; the exploration of constructions of Māori and multi-ethnic identity; the intersections between gender and ethnicity, and aspects of gender and cultural representation; life histories, personal narratives and auto/biographical research
Vol 123, No 2 (2014)

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Published

2014-10-06

Issue

Vol. 123 No. 2 (2014)

Section

Articles

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Dr Marcia Leenen-Young, Editor
The Polynesian Society
c/o School of Māori and Pacific Studies
The University of Auckland
Private Bag 92019, Auckland
New Zealand

email: m.leenen@auckland.ac.nz