I’m very attracted to the stories of New Zealand’s Maori and colonial history. I’m fortunate in knowing my own ancestry being of Te Ati Awa, English and Scottish descent and have always hoped that John George Cooke, my English forefather, had honourable intentions when he met his beautiful wahine Ngapei Ngatata in the 1840s. This consequently started an Aotearoa dynasty of which I am so proud to be part.

But it’s the endurance of our foremothers, both Maori and Pakeha which astounds me.  True to form, with so little having been written about these strong and capable women, we must be forever grateful that many kept journals and wrote letters, some of which have mercifully been kept and treasured so we can gain a glimpse into their lives, what shaped them and consequently what shaped us as a nation.

Mary Ann Martin (1817 – 1884) was one strong pioneering woman. She arrived in New Zealand in 1842 as a young bride with a mission to share Christianity with the Maori. Married to the country’s first Chief Justice who was often not at home, and because she was fortunate (unfortunate?) enough not to bear children, she had time on her hands.

Her dedication to her faith and her obvious love of life and people saw her achieve extraordinary community services. Her home (in Auckland) was open to the Anglican missionary, clergy families, the sick and alone people, and soon she had started a hospital and dispensary service for Maori at Taurarua, nearby. She helped establish a network of training institutions for young Maori and was particularly supportive of women recognising that in a new country “the lack of sympathy…is the most trying part of a woman’s lot” (Dalziel, 2010).

Fluent in Te Reo and committed to working with the Maori to ‘convert and civilise’ Mary Ann and her husband were distressed that the 1860 wars had come about and had created such a chasm between Maori and Pakeha. Alienated by her beloved Maori and opposed to the Pakeha position, in 1874 the despondent Martins left New Zealand and returned to England.

A keen observer and listener, Mary Ann kept a journal of her New Zealand experiences. It was this journal that formed Mary Ann’s well-known book ‘Our Maoris’ published posthumously in 1884 by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge.

 Laurel Devenie as Mary Ann in On The Upside Down of the World at Downstage

In 2011 New Zealand writer Arthur Meek wrote a play based on Mary Ann’s story; ‘On The Upside-Down of the World’. This enthralling one woman show currently running at Downstage, is extraordinary in itself. Not only because of the exceptional performance of Laurel Devenie as Mary Ann, but because it captures Mary Ann’s love of life and people, and her generosity of spirit and optimism for a united Aotearoa beyond the hegemony of the British colonisers.

This is a refreshing perspective and consequently ‘On The Upside-Down of the World’ is a brilliant play. Go and see it.

On The Upside-Down of the World is at Downstage until Saturday 10 September.

Source: Raewyn Dalziel. ‘Martin, Mary Ann – Biography’, from the Dictionary of New ZealandBiography. Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 1-Sep-10 
URL: http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/biographies/1m19/1