Matiu Rata
Encyclopedia
Matiu Rata was a New Zealand Māori politician. He was the Member of Parliament for Northern Maori
from 1963 to 1979, the Minister of Lands and Minister of Māori Affairs
in the Third Labour Government of New Zealand
between 1972 and 1975. He was the architect of both the Māori Affairs Amendment Act of 1974, which gave Māori greater control over their land, and the 1975 Waitangi Tribunal
.
In 1979 he resigned from the Labour Party
. In 1980 he resigned from Parliament and formed the Mana Motuhake
Party to contest the resulting by-election. He was defeated by Bruce Gregory
, but came second with 991 fewer votes.
Following his exit from Parliament Matiu Rata was the leader of the Muriwhenua in presenting their Treaty of Waitangi claims to the Waitangi Tribunal, resulting in a settlement of Māori fishing claims for the tribes of the Far North. Matiu Rata had a wife named Nelly Rata and three children: James Rata, Matthew Rata and Mary-Anne Rata. Matiu Rata died a year before his grandchild, Taylah-Rose Rata.
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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 1963 to 1979, the Minister of Lands and 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:...
in the Third Labour Government of New Zealand
Third Labour Government of New Zealand
The Third Labour Government of New Zealand was the government of New Zealand from 1972 to 1975. During its time in office, it carried out a wide range of reforms in areas such as overseas trade, farming, public works, energy generation, local government, health, the arts, sport and recreation,...
between 1972 and 1975. He was the architect of both the Māori Affairs Amendment Act of 1974, which gave Māori greater control over their land, and the 1975 Waitangi Tribunal
Waitangi Tribunal
The Waitangi Tribunal is a New Zealand permanent commission of inquiry established under the Treaty of Waitangi Act 1975...
.
In 1979 he resigned from the Labour Party
New Zealand Labour Party
The New Zealand Labour Party is a New Zealand political party. It describes itself as centre-left and socially progressive and has been one of the two primary parties of New Zealand politics since 1935....
. In 1980 he resigned from Parliament and formed the Mana Motuhake
Mana Motuhake
Mana Māori Motuhake was a Māori political party in New Zealand. The name is difficult to translate accurately, but essentially refers to Māori self-rule and self-determination — mana, in this context, can be understood as "authority" or "power", while motuhake can be understood as...
Party to contest the resulting by-election. He was defeated by Bruce Gregory
Bruce Gregory
Bruce Craig Gregory was a New Zealand politician of the Labour Party.Gregory won the , which was caused by the resignation of the previous incumbent, Matiu Rata and held the seat until 1993, when Tau Henare won the seat for New Zealand First.-References:New Zealand Parliamentary Record 1840-1984...
, but came second with 991 fewer votes.
Following his exit from Parliament Matiu Rata was the leader of the Muriwhenua in presenting their Treaty of Waitangi claims to the Waitangi Tribunal, resulting in a settlement of Māori fishing claims for the tribes of the Far North. Matiu Rata had a wife named Nelly Rata and three children: James Rata, Matthew Rata and Mary-Anne Rata. Matiu Rata died a year before his grandchild, Taylah-Rose Rata.
External links
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