Women's Health League Kia Hiwa Ra Kia Hiwa Ra—‘Be on the alert to prepare for any danger that may threaten the welfare of the people through illness, disease, or neglect.’ This is the cry of the Women's Health League, Te Ropu O Te Ora, an organisation formed in 1937 under the guidance of Nurse R. T. Cameron. When she came to Rotorua as District Nurse in 1931, health problems faced Miss Cameron everywhere. The district was so large it was impossible for one woman to make any real impression, so she sought the co-operation of the chiefs in each pa. These men gave their wholehearted support, and women's committees were formed in each pa to deal with health and home nursing. Every two weeks the chiefs led their women and children to their meeting house, where the District Nurse treated minor ailments, gave medical advice, discussed health problems and conducted maternal and infant welfare clinics in 24 centres. Each committee had a woman of high rank as president, a secretary to keep records of meetings, births and deaths in the district, and a treasurer. The next few years saw a great improvement in health, but there was still more to be done. The women wanted to work to a definite plan, so at a large gathering of women at Tunohopu meeting house, Ohinemutu, on 2 September 1937, the League was founded. The movement spread further, reaching the East Coast and including the Tairawhiti and Whakatohio districts. A flag with the colours of green and white and a tiki badge were chosen as the League's emblems. Many schemes to improve health were begun. With the co-operation of the Health Department's Medical Officer, the League started supplying free malted milk to school children. The League collected the money, the men of the pas undertook the work, and the Department supplied the equipment. For years, until fresh milk was available, this service continued, and the children were weighed regularly, showing marked improvement. As well as working for water supplies, sanitation, free hospital service (through its own ‘social security’ scheme), free milk supply for Maori schools, and a dental clinic with free transport, the League tackled housing conditions. With assistance from a Maori Land Court Judge, and the Department of Maori Affairs, a housing scheme was begun at Hinemoa Point. In 1940, the League faced the problem of Like the picture above, this photograph was taken at Ohinematu during the League's 25th Birthday Celebrations