Melva McKenzie


Melva is the youngest daughter of John and Mary McKenzie. She began her nursing in Nelson in 1935. In 1945 Melva was sent from New Zealand to work with the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA) in Europe. As a senior nurse and administrator she was responsible for the nursing service in Bavaria and southern Germany dealing with about 30000 refugees. In Germany she met her future husband who was a principal welfare officer from Norway.

As a result of her work with UNRRA, Melva received a meritorious award for outstanding service from the United Nations Secretary.On returning to New Zealand in 1948 she was appointed Nurse Inspector with the department of health in Auckland. She married Christian Junge in 1949 and died suddenly in New Plymouth in 1982.