Āpirana Ngata
New Zealand politician and lawyer (1874–1950) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:
Can you list the top facts and stats about Āpirana Ngata?
Summarize this article for a 10 year old
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.
Sir Āpirana Ngata | |
---|---|
22nd 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 | (1874-07-03)3 July 1874 Te Araroa, New Zealand |
Died | 14 July 1950(1950-07-14) (aged 76) Waiomatatini, New Zealand |
Political party | Liberal United National |
Spouse | |
Relatives |
|
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 Minister of Native Affairs from 1928 to 1934. In this he tried to accomplish as many reforms for Māori as possible, although he was forced to resign as minister in a widely publicised spending scandal. Nevertheless, he continued to serve as MP for Eastern Maori until he was ousted in 1943 by Rātana candidate (affiliated with Labour) Tiaki Omana, as Labour swept the Māori electorates. At the age of 69 he returned to his Ngāti Porou home 129 kilometres north of Gisborne, where he lived with his four sons and four daughters, and multiple grandchildren, until his death seven years later.[1][2]