Born into a wealthy Scottish family, Grace Campbell found in the developing profession of nursing a means of using her brilliant mind and acquiring the skills to enable her to become independent. She became matron of a children’s hospital, and extended her midwifery training. She married and lived briefly in Queensland, but after being widowed, Grace Neill was appointed as the first female inspector of factories in New Zealand. Her qualities and skills were recognised by a transfer to the Department of Hospitals and Charitable Institutions, the forerunner of the Ministry of Health. With a vast workload and considerable responsibilities, she was among the pioneers of state welfare. However, while she was a strong advocate of women’s rights, her views coincided with those prevalent at the time of distinguishing between the “deserving” and the “undeserving” poor.

Grace Neill also made a significant contribution to nursing, employing the Nightingale system to build a strong profession. She developed the 1901 Nurses Registration Act, and even designed the professional medal. Registration of midwives followed, along with the St Helen’s state maternity hospitals. She laid the foundations for nursing and midwifery training which earned New Zealand-trained practitioners world-wide credibility and status.