Plaque commemorating life of WWII nurse unearthed during demolition works
Kia ora koutou. A plaque in honour of WWII nurse Eliza Daisy Cargo has been rediscovered during some earthworks at North Shore Hospital.
Eliza was the first matron at the North Shore Obstetric Hospital. The block she worked in was demolished last year to make way for a new hospital building due to open in 2023.
A plaque commemorating her life was put in the adjoining grounds around 60 years ago, but had been hidden by vegetation over the decades, the Waitematā DHB said in a statement.
North Shore Hospital has now relocated the plaque, and held a small unveiling ceremony on Friday, attended by two of Eliza's former colleagues and a family member.
Born in 1909, Eliza is believed to have spent the first few years of her life in Manurewa. She finished finished her nursing training at Auckland Hospital around 1937 and served with the New Zealand Army Service in Italy, Egypt and New Caledonia during WWII, and later with J Force in Japan.
After completing her military service, Eliza led the Devonport Obstetric Hospital for about seven years, and also worked at a hospital in Pukekohe.
Between 1958 and 1964, Eliza oversaw the training of many student nurses as matron at North Shore Obstetric Hospital.
One of those nurses was Brenda Vujcich, who said of Eliza: "She influenced us greatly in our early training and was a very efficient and gracious sister who we all admired".
Eliza married Harold James Thompson later in her life and lived in Howick until her death in 1976.
Waitematā DHB director of midwifery Emma Farmer said it seemed fitting to unveil the plaque in time for Anzac Day.
“Eliza played a prominent role in the history of North Shore Hospital. We are also very conscious of her years in the New Zealand Army Nursing Service where she and her colleagues frequently risked their lives to help others during WWII."
Photo credit: Alexander Turnbull Library
Harbour Bridge lane closure - protests
The Treaty Principles Bill was introduced to parliament last week and could have ramifications on the partnership between the Crown and Māori.
Hīkoi mō te Tiriti (March for the Treaty of Waitangi) set off from Cape Rēinga on Monday morning and is expected to reach Wellington next Tuesday. It has now passed through Kaitaia, Kawakawa, Whangārei, Dargaville and is passing through Auckland on Wednesday.
What you need to know today:
- The hīkoi is due to cross the Auckland Harbour Bridge about 9.30am on Wednesday. Two northbound lanes will be closed at some point before the crossing, and remain closed during it.
- NZTA shared at 8:50am Wednesday:
'Curran St northbound on-ramp will be closed shortly, with two northbound lanes on the Harbour Bridge expected to close from approx 9.30am this morning. Allow extra time for likely delays through this area.'
- The hīkoi is expected to go across the Harbour Bridge, in a controlled fashion before marching through parts of the CBD towards Okahu Bay.
- Auckland commuters should expect traffic disruption in vicinity of both sides of the Harbour Bridge.
Stuff reporter Steve Kilgallon was at Stafford Park on the north side of the Harbour Bridge at 8.30am Wednesday and shared:
"I just walked through Stafford Park, where there’s about 400-500 people quietly assembled and more arriving; and about 20 police standing over near the motorway off ramp. Lot of Tino Rangatira flags in evidence, local streets very busy with parked cars."
Police have shared that they will respond accordingly to any issues that may arise along the route.
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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85.1% Yes
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13.4% No
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1.5% Other - I'll share below
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