Māori MPs

A DigitalNZ Story by DigitalNZ

The 1867 Māori Representation Act established four Māori Members of the Lower House of Parliament, elected in four Māori-only electorates – three in the North Island and one covering the entire South Island.   

Image: Mete Kingi Paetahi Election Act 1868

Mete Kingi Paetahi Election Act 1868

Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga

The first elections were held in 1868, with 15 April the nomination day in all four Māori seats. Frederick Nene Russell (Northern Maori) and Mete Kīngi Te Rangi Paetahi (Western Maori) were elected unopposed. In Eastern Maori, there were two candidates and Tāreha Te Moananui was elected after a show of hands. 

Image: First Māori MPs: Frederick Nene Russell

MP for Northern Māori: Frederick Nene Russell (Ngāpuhi)

First Māori MPs: Frederick Nene Russell

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Mete Kingi Te Rangi Paetahi - Photograph taken by Edward Smallwood Richards

MP for Western Māori: Mete Kīngi Te Rangi Paetahi

Mete Kingi Te Rangi Paetahi - Photograph taken by Edward Smallwood Richards

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Tāreha Te Moananui

MP for Eastern Maori: Tāreha Te Moananui

Tāreha Te Moananui

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

 In the Southern Māori electorate, there were three candidates so the vote went to a poll. This was won in June by John Patterson (also known as Hōne Paratene Tamanui a Rangi).  He was sworn in as a member of the House of Representatives in July (Wellington Independent, 11 July 1868, page 4).