Helen May Leach
Food Anthropologist
Helen May Leach, a distinguished New Zealand academic specializing in food anthropology, passed away on January 23, 2026, in Christchurch, at the age of 80. Born Helen May Keedwell in Wellington on July 3, 1945, she was the daughter of Peggy and Harvey Keedwell. Leach's academic journey and passion for understanding the cultural significance of food left an indelible mark on her field and community.
Leach's career was primarily based at the University of Otago, where she began working in 1972 and was appointed to a chair in anthropology in 2002. Her research interests spanned a wide range, from prehistoric horticulture and the evolution of human diets to the history of cooking, the origins of recipes, and the development of kitchens in the 20th century. She was particularly known for her extensive collection of cookery books, especially community cookbooks, which served as a valuable resource for fellow researchers.
Beyond her individual research, Leach collaborated with her sisters, Mary Browne and Nancy Tichborne, on ten books focused on growing and cooking vegetables and bread making. Her book, *Kitchens: The New Zealand Kitchen in the 20th Century*, published in 2014, was lauded as a significant contribution to New Zealand's gastronomic history. Leach's work not only explored the evolution of food practices but also highlighted the social and cultural contexts in which they developed.
Leach's contributions to her field were recognized with several honors, including being elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand in 2004. In 2018, she was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to culinary anthropology. Upon her retirement from the University of Otago in 2008, she was granted the title of professor emerita. Helen Leach is survived by her daughter Katie Leach, birth-mother of Janey Thomas, stepmother of Penny Leach, and sister Mary Browne. Her sister Nancy Tichborne predeceased her. Her legacy continues through her published works and the many students and colleagues she inspired.