Āpirana Ngata
Minister of Native Affairs | |
---|---|
In office 10 December 1928 – 1 November 1934 | |
Prime Minister | Sir Joseph Ward George Forbes |
Preceded by | Gordon Coates |
Succeeded by | George Forbes |
Father of the Parliament | |
In office 18 November 1929 – 30 August 1943 | |
Preceded by | Thomas Wilford |
Succeeded by | Peter Fraser |
Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Eastern Maori | |
In office 20 December 1905 – 25 September 1943 | |
Preceded by | Wi Pere |
Succeeded by | Tiaki Omana |
Personal details | |
Born | Waiomatatini, New Zealand | 3 July 1874
Political party | Liberal United National |
Spouse | |
Relatives |
|
Sir Āpirana Turupa Ngata (3 July 1874 – 14 July 1950) was a prominent New Zealand statesman. He has often been described as the foremost Māori politician to have served in parliament in the mid-20th century, and is also known for his work in promoting and protecting Māori culture and language. His legacy is one of the most prominent of any New Zealand leader in the 20th century, and is commemorated by his depiction on the fifty dollar note.
Ngata practised as a lawyer before entering politics in 1897, when he established the Young Māori Party alongside numerous alumni of Te Aute College, including future fellow cabinet minister Māui Pōmare. Here he challenged the traditional views of his people, advocating the abandonment of some traditional practices and customary healing in favour of science and Pākehā-style sanitation, which made him a controversial figure. In 1905, he was elected the Liberal Member of Parliament (MP) for Eastern Maori, retaining this seat for nearly 40 years.
He served in government as
Early life
Ngata was born in Te Araroa (then called Kawakawa), a small coastal town about 175 km (109 mi) north of Gisborne, New Zealand.[3] His iwi was Ngāti Porou. His father was Paratene Ngata, a tribal leader and expert in traditional lore, and his mother was Katerina Naki, the daughter of an itinerant Scot, Abel Enoch.[1] Ngata was greatly influenced both by his father and by his great-uncle Ropata Wahawaha (who had led loyal kūpapa Ngāti Porou forces against their Pai Mārire enemy (commonly known as Hauhau) in the East Cape War and later Te Kooti's escapees from the Chatham Islands).[4] Ngata was raised in a Māori environment, speaking the Māori language, but his father also ensured that Ngata learnt about the Pākehā world, believing that this understanding would be of benefit to Ngāti Porou.
Ngata attended
First marriage and children
In 1895, a year before finishing his second degree (law), Ngata married 16-year-old Arihia Kane Tamati who was also of the Ngāti Porou iwi. Ngata had previously been engaged to Arihia's elder sister, Te Rina, but she died. Āpirana and Arihia had fifteen children, eleven of whom survived to adulthood; six girls and five boys.[3]
Shortly after Ngata's legal qualifications were recognised, he and his wife returned to Waiomatatini where they built a house, initially called 'Te Wharehou' and later known as 'The Bungalow'.[1] Ngata quickly became prominent in the community, making a number of efforts to improve the social and economic conditions of Māori across the country. He also wrote extensively on the place of Māori culture in the modern age. At the same time, he gradually acquired a leadership role within Ngāti Porou, particularly in the area of land management and finance.
Political career
Ngata's first involvement with national politics came through his friendship with James Carroll, who was Minister of Native Affairs in the Liberal Party government. Ngata assisted Carroll in the preparation of two pieces of legislation, both of which were intended to increase the legal rights enjoyed by Māori. In the 1905 election, Ngata himself stood as the Liberal candidate for the Eastern Maori electorate, challenging the incumbent Wi Pere. He was elected to Parliament.
Early career
This section needs additional citations for verification. (July 2021) |
Years | Term | Electorate | Party | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1905–1908 | 16th | Eastern Maori | Liberal | ||
1908–1911 | 17th | Eastern Maori | Liberal | ||
1911–1914 | 18th | Eastern Maori | Liberal | ||
1914–1919 | 19th | Eastern Maori | Liberal | ||
1919–1922 | 20th | Eastern Maori | Liberal | ||
1922–1925 | 21st | Eastern Maori | Liberal | ||
1925–1928 | 22nd | Eastern Maori | Liberal | ||
1928 | Changed allegiance to: | United | |||
1928–1931 | 23rd | Eastern Maori | United | ||
1931–1935 | 24th | Eastern Maori | United | ||
1935–1936 | 25th | Eastern Maori | United | ||
1936–1938 | Changed allegiance to: | National | |||
1938–1943 | 26th | Eastern Maori | National |
Ngata quickly distinguished himself in Parliament as a skilled orator. He worked closely with his friend Carroll, and also worked closely with Robert Stout. Ngata and Stout, members of the Native Land Commission, were often critical of the government's policies towards Māori, particularly those designed at encouraging the sale of Māori land. In 1909, Ngata assisted John Salmond in the drafting of the Native Land Act.[citation needed]
In late 1909, Ngata was appointed to
In the First World War, Ngata was highly active in gathering Māori recruits for military service, working closely with
Although in Opposition, Ngata enjoyed relatively good relations with his counterparts across the House in the Reform Party. He had a particularly good relationship with
Māori interests
Ngata was also active in a huge variety of other endeavours. The most notable, perhaps, was his involvement in academic and literary circles – in this period, he published a number of works on significant Māori culture, with Nga moteatea, a collection of Māori songs, being one of his better known works. Ngata was also heavily involved in the protection and advancement of Māori culture among Māori themselves, giving particular attention to promoting the
In 1926 Ngata spearheaded government legislation which established the School of Māori Arts that later became the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute. The school was to preserve Māori arts and crafts amongst fears the skills and knowledge would be lost forever.[6] One aspect of his advocacy of Māori culture was the construction of many new traditional meeting houses throughout the country.
Yet another of Ngata's interests was the promotion of Māori sport, which he fostered by encouraging intertribal competitions and tournaments. Finally, Ngata also promoted Māori issues within the
Throughout all this, Ngata also remained deeply involved in the affairs of his Ngāti Porou iwi, particularly as regards land development. He was instrumental in establishing the land incorporation scheme whereby unused Māori land with multiple owners was amalgamated under a farm manager—often Pākehā, who developed and ran the farm. In government he was able to arrange for the transfer of four blocks of farm land to
Ngata was
only the third Māori (after Carroll and Pomare) to receive this honour.Ministerial career
In the
In 1929, Ngata's wife Arihia Ngata and his eldest son Mākarini died of dysentery.[11] After Arihia's death, Ngata married Te Rīringi Tūhou in 1932.[1][12]
In 1932 Ngata and his Department of Native Affairs came under increasing criticism from other politicians. Many believed that Ngata was pressing ahead too fast, and the large amount of activity that Ngata ordered had caused organisational difficulties within the department. An inquiry into Ngata's department was held, and it was discovered that one of Ngata's subordinates had falsified accounts. Ngata himself was severely criticised for disregarding official regulations which he had often felt were inhibiting progress. It was also alleged that Ngata had shown favouritism to Ngāti Porou and Waikato, especially Te Puea and her husband Rawiri Tumokai Katipa. Bob Semple, a leading Labour politician, said the Royal Commission investigation showed one of the worst specimens of abuse of political power, maladministration, misappropriation of public funds as well as a betrayal of trust. Ngata, while denying any personal wrongdoing, accepted responsibility for the actions of his department and was dismissed from his ministerial position.
Māori leaders, such as Te Puea, were angry at Ngata for discrediting and embarrassing Māori.[13]
Later life and legacy
Although Ngata had resigned from Cabinet, he still remained in Parliament. He was awarded the King George V Silver Jubilee Medal in 1935.[14] In the 1935 election, the Labour Party was triumphant – Ngata went into Opposition, although the new Labour government retained many of his land reform programs. Ngata remained in Parliament until the 1943 election, when he was finally defeated by a Labour-Rātana candidate, Tiaki Omana. He had been a member of parliament for almost 38 consecutive years, breaking the previous record of 32 years set by James Carroll and coming close to Maurice O'Rorke overall record of nearly 39 years. Both marks were later surpassed by Rex Mason.[15]
Ngata stood again for his seat in the 1946 election, but was unsuccessful. He remained involved in politics despite leaving Parliament. He gave advice on Māori affairs to both Peter Fraser (a Labour Prime Minister) and Ernest Corbett (a National Minister of Māori Affairs), and arranged celebrations of the Treaty of Waitangi's centenary in 1940. In the Second World War, he once again helped gather Māori recruits. On 22 June 1950, he was appointed to Parliament's upper house, the Legislative Council, but was too ill by this time to take his seat.[16]
In 1948, Ngata's second wife, Lady Te Rīringi, died, and he married Hēne Te Kira not long before his own death.[1]
On 7 May 1948, Ngata received an honorary doctorate in literature (
Ngata died in Waiomatatini on 14 July 1950, following a brief illness, and was buried beside his first wife Lady Arihia behind their home 'The Bungalow' in Waiomatatini.
Sir Āpirana and Lady
Several schools have
Ngata has inspired all sorts of politicians today, who follow his blend of progressive conservatism. As controversial as he was adulated, Ngata's legacy is still very complicated. While many have praised him for tireless work to promote the Māori language (especially in a white-based, right-wing political environment), others have criticised and even derided him for corruption, conservatism and not taking the views of all his iwi into account while making incredibly important decisions on his own.
In 1999, Ngata was posthumously inducted into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame.[22]
Family legacy
On 19 October 2009, Āpirana Ngata's last surviving daughter, Mate Huatahi Kaiwai (born Ngata), died at her residence at Ruatoria, East Cape, New Zealand, aged 94.[23] She was interred next to her late husband Kaura-Ki-Te-Pakanga Kaiwai and her son Tanara Kaiwai at Pukearoha Urupa. In the 2004 New Year Honours she had been made a Companion of the Queen's Service Order (QSO) for community service.[24]
Ngata's youngest son, Sir Hēnare Ngata, died on 11 December 2011 aged 93. He was Māori vice-president of the National Party from 1967 to 1969 and stood as the National Party candidate for Eastern Māori in 1969.[25][26]
Ngata's grandson
Notes
- ^ a b c d e f Sorrenson, M. P. K. "Ngata, Apirana Turupa". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
- ^ "Sir Apirana Turupa Ngata | New Zealand politician". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 11 July 2019.
- ^ a b McLintock, Alexander Hare, ed. (22 April 2009) [1966]. "Ngata, Sir Apirana Turupa". An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand. Ministry for Culture and Heritage / Te Manatū Taonga. Retrieved 8 December 2010.
- ^ Binney 1995, pp. 195–203.
- ^ Cyclopedia Company Limited (1908). "Mr. Apirana Turupa Ngata". The Cyclopedia of New Zealand : Taranaki, Hawke's Bay & Wellington Provincial Districts. Christchurch. p. 301. Retrieved 10 December 2010.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - )
- ^ a b Biggs, Bruce (30 October 2010). "Williams, Herbert William". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 22 September 2013.
- ^ King 1977, pp. 156–157.
- ^ Fry 1994, p. ?.
- ^ "No. 33280". The London Gazette (Supplement). 3 June 1927. p. 3604.
- ^ Walker, Ranginui J. "Arihia Kane Ngata". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
- ^ "Ngata, Horiana Te Atahaia Curtis Tuhou (Lady), 1876?–1948". National Library of New Zealand. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
- ^ King 2003, pp. 160–169.
- ^ "Official jubilee medals". The Evening Post. Vol. CXIX, no. 105. 6 May 1935. p. 4. Retrieved 16 November 2013.
- ^ "Longest serving members of Parliament". Parliament of New Zealand. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
- ^ Wilson 1985, p. 160.
- ^ University of New Zealand. Roll of Graduates (PDF). Wellington: Whitcombe & Tombs Limited. p. 3. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
- ^ "Doctorate to Maori Scholar". Gisborne Herald. Vol. LXXV, no. 22632. 8 May 1948. p. 6. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
- ^ Sorrenson, M. P. K. (1996). "Apirana Ngata and his son Hēnare, 1948". Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
- ^ "$50 Banknote – Reserve Bank of New Zealand". Reserve Bank of New Zealand. 28 February 2022. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
- ^ "High-Perched Hukarere: a chapel made by many hands". No 3, Te Ao hou p. 32–35 & 53. 1953. Retrieved 28 December 2013.
- ^ "Past laureates". Business Hall of Fame. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
- ^ Hon Parekura Horomia, MP for Labour—Ikaroa-Rāwhiti (20 October 2009). "Obituaries – Mate Huatahi Kaiwai". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). Vol. 658. New Zealand: New Zealand Parliament. p. 7163.
- ^ "New Year honours list 2004". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 31 December 2003. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
- ^ Te Puni, Alice (12 December 2011). "We lose Sir Henare". Gisborne Herald. Archived from the original on 1 June 2012.
- ^ Gustafson 1986, p. 380.
- ^ "About the Ngata Dictionary". Modern Teaching Aids. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
- ^ Holmes, David Kārena (17 November 2018). "More on kei and i and some notes on dialects". The Nelson Mail. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
- ^ "Māori Dictionary". MāoriLanguage.net. Native Council. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
References
- Binney, Judith (1995). Redemption Songs: A Life of Te Kooti Arikirangi Te Turuki. Auckland University Press.
- Dorling KindersleyLtd.
- ISBN 0-474-00177-6.
- ISBN 0-340-22482-7.
- King, Michael (2003). Te Puea. Reed Publishing.
- Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [First ed. published 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984 (4th ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. OCLC 154283103.