First Māori elections
Encyclopedia
The first Māori elections were held in 1868 in four newly formed Māori electorates during the term of 4th Parliament
.
All subsequent Māori elections were always held as part of the general elections.
, a British
Act of Parliament that granted limited self-rule to the settlers in the colony. This was a reaction to widespread frustration with the colonial authorities, and in particular the nearly unlimited power of the Governor
). The Constitution Act established a bicameral parliament, with the upper house (the Legislative Council
) appointed, and the lower house (the House of Representatives
) elected every five years. In addition, it allowed for six provincial councils
, elected every four years.
To be eligible to vote, the following criteria had to be met:
In theory, this would have allowed Māori men to vote, but most of their land was communally held (rather than held by individuals) and held in customary title (i.e. unregistered as opposed to freehold) and thus fell outside of the definitions of the Constitution Act. As a consequence, Māori were effectively unable to register as voters.
The Constitution Act made an allowance, in Section 71, for some districts to be set aside where Māori laws, customs and ways of life were maintained "for the Government of themselves, in all their Relations and Dealings with each other", provided these were "not repugnant to general principles of humanity." Whilst this would have allowed some degree of self-governance by Māori, Section 71 was never implemented.
The single most important issues in the 1850s and 1860s was that of land and land sales. With land held by Māori and the settler population increasing rapidly, there was a huge demand for making land available for new settlers. Many settlers took for granted that Māori land would progressively become available for agricultural development.
The Treaty of Waitangi
, in the second article, gave the Crown the pre-emptive right for all land purchases from Māori. This was the chief source of income for the Crown, and later the Provinces, as they would pass on the land to the settlers with a significant margin. But it also put some control over the way Māori were dealt with. The colony obtained much self control from the Crown with the New Zealand Constitution Amendment Act, which was passed in 1857. This transferred much decision making from Britain to the colony, and without this change, the Native Land Acts of 1862 and 1865 would not have been possible. Those Acts abolished Crown pre-emption of land (thus nullifying the treaty's second article), and enabled certificate of title to be issued to individual Māori, with titles held by no more than ten individuals, but each individual had the sole power of selling the title. Settlers could then negotiate with individuals and as soon as one of them was a willing seller, transfer of title could happen. With that system in place, 95% of the North Island
was able to be transferred to settlers or the Government by 1900. In historian Claudia Orange's assessment, the 1865 Act "introduced revolutionary change".
The increased land sales and the ability of one owner to sell land without consent of the joint owners is what led to the New Zealand land wars
.
James FitzGerald
, who in 1865 was for a brief period Minister of Māori Affairs
, explained his attitudes to James Crowe Richmond
as follows:
In his letter, FitzGerald was referring to the financial consequences of the land wars that were crippling the country.
Donald McLean introduced the Maori Representation Act in 1867. This allowed for the creation of four Māori electorates. One of the strong underlying motives was to overcome the problem with land ownership, which prevented Māori from enrolling as electors, as alluded to in the preamble of the Act:
The expectation was that Māori landholdings would be converted to individual title within the next few years. At that point, the franchise was to revert back to the normal rules based on property ownership. As such, the preamble of the Act made reference to 'temporary provisions' and the Act was to be in place for only five years. History has shown us, however, that Māori land stayed in communal ownership, and the franchise conditions for Māori electorates were extended in 1872 by another five years, and in 1876, the electorates were made permanent. It is important to note that male Māori, due to their practical exclusion from the political process, received universal suffrage twelve years before European men. Universal suffrage for non-Māori men over 21 years was introduced for the 1879 general elections
. It is difficult to imagine these days how radical it was back then to grant universal suffrage to Māori men. It helped that there had been precedents to this, first in the Pensioner Settlements electorate
(created for the 1st Parliament
in 1853), and then for the two gold fields electorates (Goldfields electorate in 1863 and Goldfields Towns electorate
in 1866).
, so all members were Independents
.
Eastern Maori
At the nomination meeting in Napier
, held in front of the Council offices, two candidates were proposed. Karaitiana Takamoana
was the first one to be proposed. Tareha te Moananui
was the other person put forward. When the returning officer asked for a show of hands, the outcome was 34 to 33 vote in favour of Moananui. When Europeans contested elections, it was common for the trailing party to demand a poll at this point, but this did not happen. Hence, Moananui was declared elected.
He was the first of the four to speak in Parliament. He represented the electorate of Eastern Maori
from 1868 to the end of the term in 1870, when he retired. This was recalled by his descendent, Hon Pita Sharples
, in Parliament 140 years later.
Northern Maori
The nomination meeting for the Northern Maori electorate was held at the residence of the Resident Magistrate
of Russell
, Mr Barstow. At the meeting, Frederick Nene Russell
was the only candidate proposed. He was thus declared elected. He represented the electorate of Northern Maori
from 1868 to 1870 when he retired.
Southern Maori
At the nomination meeting near Woodend
, three candidates were proposed.
John Patterson
, also known by his Māori name of Hone Paratene Tamanui a Rangi, represented the electorate of Southern Maori
from 4 July 1868 to 30 December 1870, when he retired at the dissolution of Parliament.
Western Maori
At the nomination meeting in Wanganui
, held at the Courthouse, Mete Paetahi
was the only candidate proposed. He was thus elected unopposed. He represented the electorate of Western Maori
from 1868 to 1870. He contested the electorate again at the 1871 general election, but was defeated by Wiremu Parata
.
4th New Zealand Parliament
The 4th New Zealand Parliament was a term of the Parliament of New Zealand.Elections for this term were held in 61 electorates between 12 February and 6 April 1866 to elect 70 MPs. Parliament was prorogued in late 1870. During the term of this Parliament, two Ministries were in power...
.
All subsequent Māori elections were always held as part of the general elections.
History
New Zealand's parliamentary history begins with the New Zealand Constitution Act 1852New Zealand Constitution Act 1852
The New Zealand Constitution Act 1852 was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that granted self-government to the colony of New Zealand...
, a British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
Act of Parliament that granted limited self-rule to the settlers in the colony. This was a reaction to widespread frustration with the colonial authorities, and in particular the nearly unlimited power of the Governor
Governor-General of New Zealand
The Governor-General of New Zealand is the representative of the monarch of New Zealand . The Governor-General acts as the Queen's vice-regal representative in New Zealand and is often viewed as the de facto head of state....
). The Constitution Act established a bicameral parliament, with the upper house (the Legislative Council
New Zealand Legislative Council
The Legislative Council of New Zealand was the upper house of the New Zealand Parliament from 1853 until 1951. Unlike the lower house, the New Zealand House of Representatives, the Legislative Council was appointed.-Role:...
) appointed, and the lower house (the House of Representatives
Parliament of New Zealand
The Parliament of New Zealand consists of the Queen of New Zealand and the New Zealand House of Representatives and, until 1951, the New Zealand Legislative Council. The House of Representatives is often referred to as "Parliament".The House of Representatives usually consists of 120 Members of...
) elected every five years. In addition, it allowed for six provincial councils
Provinces of New Zealand
The Provinces of New Zealand existed from 1841 until 1876 as a form of sub-national government. They were replaced by counties, which were themselves replaced by districts.Following abolition, the provinces became known as provincial districts...
, elected every four years.
To be eligible to vote, the following criteria had to be met:
- male
- aged at least 21 years old
- owners of freehold land worth at least £50, or leasehold of a certain annual amount (£10 for farmland or a city house, or £5 for a rural house)
In theory, this would have allowed Māori men to vote, but most of their land was communally held (rather than held by individuals) and held in customary title (i.e. unregistered as opposed to freehold) and thus fell outside of the definitions of the Constitution Act. As a consequence, Māori were effectively unable to register as voters.
The Constitution Act made an allowance, in Section 71, for some districts to be set aside where Māori laws, customs and ways of life were maintained "for the Government of themselves, in all their Relations and Dealings with each other", provided these were "not repugnant to general principles of humanity." Whilst this would have allowed some degree of self-governance by Māori, Section 71 was never implemented.
The single most important issues in the 1850s and 1860s was that of land and land sales. With land held by Māori and the settler population increasing rapidly, there was a huge demand for making land available for new settlers. Many settlers took for granted that Māori land would progressively become available for agricultural development.
The Treaty of Waitangi
Treaty of Waitangi
The Treaty of Waitangi is a treaty first signed on 6 February 1840 by representatives of the British Crown and various Māori chiefs from the North Island of New Zealand....
, in the second article, gave the Crown the pre-emptive right for all land purchases from Māori. This was the chief source of income for the Crown, and later the Provinces, as they would pass on the land to the settlers with a significant margin. But it also put some control over the way Māori were dealt with. The colony obtained much self control from the Crown with the New Zealand Constitution Amendment Act, which was passed in 1857. This transferred much decision making from Britain to the colony, and without this change, the Native Land Acts of 1862 and 1865 would not have been possible. Those Acts abolished Crown pre-emption of land (thus nullifying the treaty's second article), and enabled certificate of title to be issued to individual Māori, with titles held by no more than ten individuals, but each individual had the sole power of selling the title. Settlers could then negotiate with individuals and as soon as one of them was a willing seller, transfer of title could happen. With that system in place, 95% of the North Island
North Island
The North Island is one of the two main islands of New Zealand, separated from the much less populous South Island by Cook Strait. The island is in area, making it the world's 14th-largest island...
was able to be transferred to settlers or the Government by 1900. In historian Claudia Orange's assessment, the 1865 Act "introduced revolutionary change".
The increased land sales and the ability of one owner to sell land without consent of the joint owners is what led to the New Zealand land wars
New Zealand land wars
The New Zealand Wars, sometimes called the Land Wars and also once called the Māori Wars, were a series of armed conflicts that took place in New Zealand between 1845 and 1872...
.
James FitzGerald
James FitzGerald
James Edward FitzGerald was a New Zealand politician. According to some historians, he should be considered the country's first Prime Minister, although a more conventional view is that neither he nor his successor should properly be given that title. He was a notable campaigner for New Zealand...
, who in 1865 was for a brief period Minister of Māori Affairs
Minister of Maori Affairs
The Minister of Māori Affairs is the minister of the New Zealand government with broad responsibility for government policy towards Māori, the first inhabitants of New Zealand. The current Minister of Māori Affairs is Dr. Pita Sharples.-Role:...
, explained his attitudes to James Crowe Richmond
James Crowe Richmond
James Crowe Richmond was a New Zealand politician, engineer, and an early painter in watercolours of the New Zealand landscape.-Early life:...
as follows:
Two rules are deeply fixed in my mind. 1. To expect men to respect law who don't enjoy it is absurd. 2. To try and govern a folk by our courts and at the same time to say that our courts shall take no cognisance of their property is amazing folly. Two-thirds of the Northern Island is held under a tenure which is ignored by our law. Is it possible to govern any people by a law which does not recognise their estate in land?
I blame no man for the past, but for the future I take this as my guide that a people cannot be governed by a law which pretends to be powerless to deal with their property; and that one race cannot govern another as a pariah class – make laws for them, and so on ignoring their right to partake in the making of those laws.
You may mock me as to Maoris sitting in parliament. My dear Friend, I am not a fool nor attribute to political forms mysterious virtues, but I know all that the sitting in parliament brings in its train and I say that ignore tenure to land and ignore the sitting in parliament and all that belongs thereto and the alternative is war, extermination to the weaker race and financial disaster to the stronger.
In his letter, FitzGerald was referring to the financial consequences of the land wars that were crippling the country.
Donald McLean introduced the Maori Representation Act in 1867. This allowed for the creation of four Māori electorates. One of the strong underlying motives was to overcome the problem with land ownership, which prevented Māori from enrolling as electors, as alluded to in the preamble of the Act:
Whereas owing to the peculiar nature of Māori land and to other causes the Native Aboriginal inhabitants of this Colony of New Zealand have heretofore with few exceptions been unable to become registered as electors or to vote at the election of members of the House of Representatives or of the Provincial Councils of the said Colony. And it is expedient for the better protection of the interests of Her Majesty’s subjects of the Native Race that temporary provisions should be made for the special representation of Her Majesty’s Native subjects in the House of Representatives and Provincial Councils of said Colony.
The expectation was that Māori landholdings would be converted to individual title within the next few years. At that point, the franchise was to revert back to the normal rules based on property ownership. As such, the preamble of the Act made reference to 'temporary provisions' and the Act was to be in place for only five years. History has shown us, however, that Māori land stayed in communal ownership, and the franchise conditions for Māori electorates were extended in 1872 by another five years, and in 1876, the electorates were made permanent. It is important to note that male Māori, due to their practical exclusion from the political process, received universal suffrage twelve years before European men. Universal suffrage for non-Māori men over 21 years was introduced for the 1879 general elections
New Zealand general election, 1879
The New Zealand general election of 1879 was held between 28 August and 15 September to elect a total of 88 MPs to the 7th session of the New Zealand Parliament. The Māori vote was held on 1 and 8 September. A total number of 82,271 voters turned out to vote.The election came about when George...
. It is difficult to imagine these days how radical it was back then to grant universal suffrage to Māori men. It helped that there had been precedents to this, first in the Pensioner Settlements electorate
Pensioner Settlements (New Zealand electorate)
Pensioner Settlements was a 19th century parliamentary multimember electorate in the Auckland region of New Zealand, from 1853 to 1870.-Geographic distribution:...
(created for the 1st Parliament
1st New Zealand Parliament
The 1st New Zealand Parliament was a term of the Parliament of New Zealand. It opened on 24 May 1854, following New Zealand's first general election . It was dissolved on 15 September 1855 in preparation for that year's election...
in 1853), and then for the two gold fields electorates (Goldfields electorate in 1863 and Goldfields Towns electorate
Goldfields Towns (New Zealand electorate)
The Goldfields Towns electorate was a 19th century parliamentary electorate in the Otago Region of New Zealand.-History:The electorate existed from 1866 to 1870 for the term of the 4th New Zealand Parliament....
in 1866).
Results
In all four electorates, the nomination meeting was held on Wednesday, 15 April 1868. Political parties would not form until after the 1890 electionsNew Zealand general election, 1890
The New Zealand general election of 1890 was one of New Zealand's most significant. It marked the beginning of party politics in New Zealand with the formation of the First Liberal government, which was to enact major welfare, labour and electoral reforms, including giving the vote to women.It was...
, so all members were Independents
Independent (politician)
In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do...
.
Eastern Maori
At the nomination meeting in Napier
Napier, New Zealand
Napier is a New Zealand city with a seaport, located in Hawke's Bay on the eastern coast of the North Island. The population of Napier is about About 18 kilometres south of Napier is the inland city of Hastings. These two neighboring cities are often called "The Twin Cities" or "The Bay Cities"...
, held in front of the Council offices, two candidates were proposed. Karaitiana Takamoana
Karaitiana Takamoana
Karaitiana Takamoana was a Māori member of parliament in New Zealand, and the second Eastern Maori MP.He represented the electorate of Eastern Maori from 1871 to 1879, when he died.-References:...
was the first one to be proposed. Tareha te Moananui
Tareha te Moananui
Tareha Te Moananui was a Māori member of Parliament in New Zealand. He was one of four Māori elected in 1868 for the new Māori electorates in the New Zealand parliament, and he was the first of the four to speak in Parliament....
was the other person put forward. When the returning officer asked for a show of hands, the outcome was 34 to 33 vote in favour of Moananui. When Europeans contested elections, it was common for the trailing party to demand a poll at this point, but this did not happen. Hence, Moananui was declared elected.
He was the first of the four to speak in Parliament. He represented the electorate of Eastern Maori
Eastern Maori
Eastern Maori was one of the four original New Zealand parliamentary Māori electorates, from 1868 to 1996.-Population centres:The electorate includes the following population centres:* -Tribal areas:...
from 1868 to the end of the term in 1870, when he retired. This was recalled by his descendent, Hon Pita Sharples
Pita Sharples
Pita Russell Sharples, CBE, , a Māori academic and politician, currently co-leads the Māori Party. He currently is the member for Tamaki Makaurau in New Zealand's Parliament.-Early life:...
, in Parliament 140 years later.
Northern Maori
The nomination meeting for the Northern Maori electorate was held at the residence of the Resident Magistrate
Resident Magistrate
A resident magistrate is a title for magistrates used in certain parts of the world, that were, or are, governed by the British. Sometimes abbreviated as RM, it refers to suitably qualified personnel - notably well versed in the law - brought into an area from outside as the local magistrate,...
of Russell
Russell, New Zealand
Russell, formerly known as Kororareka, was the first permanent European settlement and sea port in New Zealand. It is situated in the Bay of Islands, in the far north of the North Island. As at the 2006 census it had a resident population of 816, an increase of 12 from 2001...
, Mr Barstow. At the meeting, Frederick Nene Russell
Frederick Nene Russell
Frederick Nene Russell was a Māori member of Parliament in New Zealand. He was one of four Māori elected in 1868 for the new Māori electorates in the New Zealand parliament.He represented the electorate of Northern Maori from 1868 to 1870 when he retired....
was the only candidate proposed. He was thus declared elected. He represented the electorate of Northern Maori
Northern Maori
Northern Maori was one of the four original New Zealand Parliamentary Māori electorates, from 1868 to 1996.-Population centres:The electorate includes the following population centres: Auckland, Whangarei.-Tribal Areas:...
from 1868 to 1870 when he retired.
Southern Maori
At the nomination meeting near Woodend
Woodend, New Zealand
Woodend is a town 26 km north of Christchurch on State Highway 1 named after one of New Zealand's early settlers named Thomas Woodend. The population as at the 2006 Census was 2,637....
, three candidates were proposed.
John Patterson
John Patterson (New Zealand)
John Patterson was a Māori member of Parliament in New Zealand. He was one of four Māori elected in 1868 for the new Māori electorates in the New Zealand parliamentHe represented the electorate of Southern Maori from 1868 to 1870 when he retired....
, also known by his Māori name of Hone Paratene Tamanui a Rangi, represented the electorate of Southern Maori
Southern Maori
Southern Maori was one of the four original New Zealand Parliamentary Māori electorates, from 1868 to 1996.-Population centres:The electorate includes the following population centres:* -Tribal Areas:...
from 4 July 1868 to 30 December 1870, when he retired at the dissolution of Parliament.
Western Maori
At the nomination meeting in Wanganui
Whanganui
Various places in New Zealand are called Whanganui:*Whanganui, a city at the mouth of the Whanganui River, also often spelled "Wanganui", Manawatu-Wanganui Region*Whanganui District, Manawatu-Wanganui Region*Whanganui Island, Waikato Region...
, held at the Courthouse, Mete Paetahi
Mete Paetahi
Mete Kingi te Rangi Paetahi was a Member of Parliament in New Zealand. He was one of four Māori elected in first Māori elections of 1868 for the new Māori electorates in the New Zealand parliament.-Private life:...
was the only candidate proposed. He was thus elected unopposed. He represented the electorate of Western Maori
Western Maori
Western Maori was one of the four former New Zealand Parliamentary Māori electorates, from 1868 to 1996.-Population Centres:The electorate includes the following population centres:* -Tribal Areas:...
from 1868 to 1870. He contested the electorate again at the 1871 general election, but was defeated by Wiremu Parata
Wiremu Parata
Wiremu Te Kakakura Parata, also known as Wi Parata , was a New Zealand politician....
.
Members
| Member | Electorate | Election date (MM/DD) |
| Moananui, Tareha te Tareha te Moananui Tareha Te Moananui was a Māori member of Parliament in New Zealand. He was one of four Māori elected in 1868 for the new Māori electorates in the New Zealand parliament, and he was the first of the four to speak in Parliament.... |
Eastern Maori Eastern Maori Eastern Maori was one of the four original New Zealand parliamentary Māori electorates, from 1868 to 1996.-Population centres:The electorate includes the following population centres:* -Tribal areas:... |
04/15 |
| Paetahi, Mete Mete Paetahi Mete Kingi te Rangi Paetahi was a Member of Parliament in New Zealand. He was one of four Māori elected in first Māori elections of 1868 for the new Māori electorates in the New Zealand parliament.-Private life:... |
Western Maori Western Maori Western Maori was one of the four former New Zealand Parliamentary Māori electorates, from 1868 to 1996.-Population Centres:The electorate includes the following population centres:* -Tribal Areas:... |
04/17 |
| Patterson, John John Patterson (New Zealand) John Patterson was a Māori member of Parliament in New Zealand. He was one of four Māori elected in 1868 for the new Māori electorates in the New Zealand parliamentHe represented the electorate of Southern Maori from 1868 to 1870 when he retired.... |
Southern Maori Southern Maori Southern Maori was one of the four original New Zealand Parliamentary Māori electorates, from 1868 to 1996.-Population centres:The electorate includes the following population centres:* -Tribal Areas:... |
|
| Russell, Frederick Nene Frederick Nene Russell Frederick Nene Russell was a Māori member of Parliament in New Zealand. He was one of four Māori elected in 1868 for the new Māori electorates in the New Zealand parliament.He represented the electorate of Northern Maori from 1868 to 1870 when he retired.... |
Northern Maori Northern Maori Northern Maori was one of the four original New Zealand Parliamentary Māori electorates, from 1868 to 1996.-Population centres:The electorate includes the following population centres: Auckland, Whangarei.-Tribal Areas:... |
04/15 |