AlterNative

Abstract

Along with Sir Edmund Hillary, Ernest Rutherford and Kate Shepherd, Sir Apirana Ngata (1874-1950) has the honour of featuring on NZ banknotes. He is without doubt the single leading Maori figure of the twentieth century, and is revered among Maori today.

Born on the East Coast, Ngata was a trained lawyer, a brilliant mind and a stunning orator. He was a member of the influential Young Maori Party in the early years of the century, fiercely challenging the idea that Maori were a dying race.

He was single-handedly responsible for the preservation and emergence of some aspects of Maori culture - he actually invented the Maori action song we know today, and fostered the study of traditional tribal histories and Maori culture. He is still our longest-serving MP - 38 years. As Minister of Maori Affairs he developed the settlement and farming of Maori lands, having a huge effect on the development of his people. No single Maori leader since has inherited his leadership role.