Huria (Julia) Matenga

Huria was born in 1843 and she grew up in Hawkes Bay. She married Hemi matenga. He was from Waikane. I chose Huria Matenga because she rescued people from a sinking ship. She was known as the "Grace-darlind". She was the beautiful daughter of Wiremu katene, he was the chief of Ngati toa.

Huria Matenga became famous for rescuing several people from a sinking ship nearby she lived. The ship got caught in a storm, the ship's name was Delaware. It was on its way from Nelson. Huria swam out in huge surf to grab the lead line thrown out by the ship's captain. She had two other Maori people who helped her.

The government gave her 50 pounds and the Nelson people gave her a golden watch. Huria Matenga died on the 23 of April 1909, and over 2000 people attended her tangi (funeral). Huria's epic heroism will live on in our history.