Ned Ellison

Edward Pohau Ellison OBE (26 November 1884 – 9 November 1963), generally known as Ned Ellison and also as Pohau Erihana, was a New Zealand rugby player, doctor, and public health administrator.

Edward Pohau Ellison

Biography

Ellison was born in Waikanae, New Zealand, on 26 November 1884.^[1] Of Māori descent, he identified with the Ngai Tahu and Te Āti Awa iwi.

Ellison attended Te Aute College and qualified as a physician at the University of Otago.^[2] In 1919 he was appointed Medical Officer and Deputy Resident Commissioner in Niue, later earning promotion to the post of Resident Commissioner.^[2] He subsequently moved to the Chatham Islands as Medical Officer and Resident Magistrate, before becoming Chief Medical Officer and Deputy Resident Commissioner of the Cook Islands in 1925.^[2] He returned to New Zealand in 1926 to become Director of Maori Hygiene, but returned to the Cook Islands in 1930.^[2]

In 1935, Ellison was awarded the King George V Silver Jubilee Medal.^[3] He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 1038 New Year Honours.^[2]

Ellison retired in 1946 and returned to New Zealand.^[4]