Tiaki Omana
Encyclopedia
Tiaki Omana whose Christian name is John Ormond best known as Jack is a former New Zealand
politician who captured the Rātana
Movement's fourth Maori seat of Eastern Maori
in 1943 from Apirana Ngata
who had held it since 1905. He was of Ngati Rongomaiwahine
descent and was also a grandson of John Davies Ormond
, first Superintendent of Hawke's Bay
.
matches for his province and once for the All Blacks
in 1923 against a team from New South Wales
. Even after joining the New Zealand Maori (Pioneer) Battalion and fighting in France during World War I, he was still able to play on the wing for the Pioneer Battalion team.
Omana was a sheepfarmer on the isolated Mahia Peninsula
before becoming a Member of Parliament.
of the 'second cut', Omana first contested the Tairawhiti seat of Eastern Maori
in 1928, finally winning the seat in 1943. As a Rātana/Labour member, he raised the issue of land claims, housing and health for Māori, and discrimination in social security. Omana held the seat until his retirement in 1963, when he returned to farming and to his original Church of England
faith.
's son Hamuera Ratana, symbol of the end of tohunga
witchcraft.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
politician who captured the Rātana
Ratana
The Rātana movement is a Māori religion and pan-tribal political movement founded by Tahupōtiki Wiremu Rātana in early 20th century New Zealand...
Movement's fourth Maori seat 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:...
in 1943 from Apirana Ngata
Apirana Ngata
Sir Apirana Turupa Ngata was a prominent New Zealand politician and lawyer. He has often been described as the foremost Māori politician to have ever served in Parliament, and is also known for his work in promoting and protecting Māori culture and language.-Early life:One of 15 children, Ngata...
who had held it since 1905. He was of Ngati Rongomaiwahine
Ngati Rongomaiwahine
Ngāti Rongomaiwahine is a Māori iwi traditionally centred in the Mahia Peninsula on the North Island of New Zealand. In the 2006 census, 4,254 people claimed an affiliation with Ngāti Rongomaiwahine....
descent and was also a grandson of John Davies Ormond
John Davies Ormond
John Davies Ormond was a New Zealand politician whose positions included Superintendent of Hawke's Bay Province, Minister of Public Works and member of the New Zealand Legislative Council....
, first Superintendent of Hawke's Bay
Hawke's Bay
Hawke's Bay is a region of New Zealand. Hawke's Bay is recognised on the world stage for its award-winning wines. The regional council sits in both the cities of Napier and Hastings.-Geography:...
.
Early life
A keen rugby player, Tiaki Omana played Ranfurly ShieldRanfurly Shield
The Ranfurly Shield, colloquially known as the Log o' Wood, is a trophy in New Zealand's domestic rugby union competition. First played for in 1904, the Ranfurly Shield is based on a challenge system, rather than a league or knockout competition as with most football trophies...
matches for his province and once for the All Blacks
All Blacks
The New Zealand men's national rugby union team, known as the All Blacks, represent New Zealand in what is regarded as its national sport....
in 1923 against a team from New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
. Even after joining the New Zealand Maori (Pioneer) Battalion and fighting in France during World War I, he was still able to play on the wing for the Pioneer Battalion team.
Omana was a sheepfarmer on the isolated Mahia Peninsula
Mahia Peninsula
The Mahia Peninsula is located on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island, between the cities of Napier and Gisborne.-Geography:The peninsula is long and wide rising to its highest point at Rahuimokairoa reaching about above sea level. Mahia was initially an island which over time, has had...
before becoming a Member of Parliament.
Member of Parliament
A koataKoata
Koata was the term for the four Māori seats reserved for Māori in Parliament, used in 1928 by T W Ratana, who called himself Piri Wiri Tua or the campaigner. From the Maori language and literally meaning a quarter, the word is applied to each of the four New Zealand Maori seats and the Ratana...
of the 'second cut', Omana first contested the Tairawhiti seat 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:...
in 1928, finally winning the seat in 1943. As a Rātana/Labour member, he raised the issue of land claims, housing and health for Māori, and discrimination in social security. Omana held the seat until his retirement in 1963, when he returned to farming and to his original Church of England
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
faith.
Ratana name
Tiaki Omana was also referred to as Hamuera after Tahupōtiki Wiremu RātanaT. W. Ratana
Tahupōtiki Wiremu Rātana was the founder of the Rātana religion in the early 20th century in New Zealand. He rose to prominence as a faith healer.-Beginnings:...
's son Hamuera Ratana, symbol of the end of tohunga
Tohunga
In the culture of the Māori of New Zealand, a tohunga is an expert practitioner of any skill or art, religious or otherwise. Tohunga may include expert priests, healers, navigators, carvers, builders, teachers and advisors. The equivalent term in Hawaiian culture is kahuna...
witchcraft.