Wyllie, Kate (d. 1913)

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Wyllie, Kate (d. 1913)

New Zealand tribal leader. Name variations: Kate Halbert, Keita Waere (Waera), Kate Gannon. Born Kate Halbert, in early 1840s, in Poverty Bay, New Zealand; died Feb 4, 1913, in Auckland, New Zealand; dau. of Thomas Halbert (trader) and Keita Kaikeri (Kaikiri); m. James Ralston Wyllie, 1854 (died 1875); m. Michael Joseph Gannon (interpreter), 1881; children: (1st m.) 6 sons, 3 daughters; (2nd m.) 2 sons, 2 daughters.

An acknowledged authority on Rongowhakaata lore, was effective advocate for her people several times at Native Land Court hearings; lost farm established with 1st husband in tribal warfare (1865); awarded vast amounts of land in Kaiaua block.

See also Dictionary of New Zealand Biography (Vol. 2).

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