Lucy Takiora Lord
Guide, interpreter (1842–1893)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Lucy Takiora Lord (9 October 1842 – 3 September 1893) was a New Zealand guide and interpreter. She is known for her role as an interpreter between Māori peoples and English colonizers. She is considered a controversial figure due to her assistance in the selling of Māori land to Pākehā.[1]
Lucy Takiora Lord | |
|---|---|
| Born | 9 October 1842 |
| Died | 3 September 1893 (aged 50) |
| Other names | Louisa Grey, Lucy Elizabeth, Takiora Grey, Bloody Mary, Mrs Blake, Lucy D'Alton[1] |
| Occupations | Guide, Interpreter |
| Spouses |
|
| Relatives | Sophia Hinerangi (half-sister)[2] Nicola Kawana (relative) |
Biography
She was born in Russell, Northland, New Zealand on 9 October 1842.[3][4] She was the daughter of the Māori Kotiro Hinerangi and the English shop owner William Lord.[1] Lord, alongside her first husband, Te Mahuki, were known as guides and interpreters for Gustavus von Tempsky and British troops during the New Zealand Wars in the 1860s.[5] Later, she acted as an interpreter during land purchases of Māori land.[1]
Throughout her life she was known by many names including Louisa Grey, Lucy Elizabeth, Takiora Grey, Bloody Mary, Mrs Blake and Lucy D'Alton.[1]
She married Joseph Dalton in 1878 under the name Louisa Grey.[2][1]
Death and legacy
She died on 3 September 1893 at New Plymouth hospital.[1]
In July 2021 a play called Kūpapa based on the life of Lucy Takiora Lord written by Nicola Kawana premiered.[6] The play was presented by Te Pou Theatre in Auckland and directed by Erina Daniels.[7][8][9]
