Emma Wehipeihana

Last updated

Emma Wehipeihana
Born1983or1984(age 41–42) [1]
Other namesEmma Espiner
Alma mater University of Auckland (BM MS, 2020)
Occupations
  • Broadcaster
  • writer
  • doctor
Notable workThere's a Cure For This (memoir, 2023)
Children1
AwardsOpinion Writer of the Year 2020 and Best Narrative Podcast 2021 (Voyager Media Awards)

Emma Elizabeth Wehipeihana (born 1983/4; married name Espiner from 2012 to 2023) is a New Zealand broadcaster, writer and doctor. She won Opinion Writer of the Year at the 2020 Voyager Media Awards and Best Narrative Podcast at the 2021 Voyager Media Awards. Her 2023 memoir There's a Cure For This won the best first book award in the general non-fiction category at the Ockham New Zealand Book Awards.

Contents

Biography

Wehipeihana grew up in Wellington. Her mother, Colleen Smith, was a feminist activist and Wehipeihana was involved in feminist protests from a young age. [2] Of Māori descent, Wehipeihana has whakapapa (heritage) to the Ngāti Tukorehe and Ngāti Porou iwi. [1] She graduated with Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degrees from the University of Auckland in 2020. [3]

Wehipeihana has written as a columnist for Newsroom . [4] In 2020, she won Opinion Writer of the Year at the 2020 Voyager Media Awards. [5] In 2020 she hosted the podcast Getting Better for Radio New Zealand about her experiences as a Māori medical student. [6] [7] The podcast won the Best Narrative Podcast award at the 2021 Voyager Media Awards. [5]

In 2023, Wehipeihana published a memoir titled There's a Cure For This. [8] The book won the best first book award for general non-fiction at the 2024 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards, and was shortlisted for the overall general non-fiction award. [9] [10] At the ceremony, Wehipeihana said she wanted politicians in attendance to hear "that the front line of the health system can speak back". [10]

Personal life

Wehipeihana married journalist Guyon Espiner in 2012, [11] [12] and had a daughter. [11] The couple separated in 2023, [13] after which she returned to using her maiden name. [14]

References

  1. 1 2 Martin, Hannah (7 May 2023). "How grumpiness in pregnancy changed the direction of Dr Emma Espiner's life". The Post. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
  2. ↑ "Feminism in the family: Colleen Smith and Emma Espiner on breeding activism". The Spinoff. 11 August 2018. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  3. ↑ "Graduation search results". University of Auckland . Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  4. ↑ "Emma Espiner, Author". Newsroom. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
  5. 1 2 Sunderland, Kerry (21 October 2023). "Wāhine Māori reflect on walking the talk, with a good dose of hope". Stuff. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
  6. ↑ Atkin, Katy (9 August 2020). "Getting Better: RNZ podcast looks at year in the life of a Māori medical student". Stuff. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
  7. ↑ "Emma Espiner: Watching two New Zealands". Newsroom. 12 October 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  8. ↑ "There's a Cure for This: A Memoir by Emma Espiner". www.penguin.co.nz. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  9. ↑ "Ockham 2024 shortlists announced". Books+Publishing. 6 March 2024. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
  10. 1 2 Knight, Kim (16 May 2024). "Ockham Book Awards: Who won - and what did they say to the PM?". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
  11. 1 2 Husband, Dale (28 July 2018). "Guyon Espiner: I'd love a New Zealand where we all embrace te reo". E-Tangata. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  12. ↑ "TV stars, politicians mix at Espiner wedding". New Zealand Herald. 6 February 2012. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
  13. ↑ Wadey, Rebecca (28 March 2023). "Guyon Espiner on separation, stress - and not drinking". Stuff. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  14. ↑ Dennett, Kelly (5 November 2023). "Emma Wehipeihana: 'I write to investigate my memories'". Stuff. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
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