Ngata, Sir Āpirana Turupa (1874-1950), was a great political and cultural leader of New Zealand’s Indigenous (native) Māori people during the early 1900’s. He became known for his work promoting Māori culture and welfare. Ngata is still revered as one of the country’s foremost politicians and intellectual leaders.
Ngata, from the Ngāti Porou iwi (tribe), was born on July 3, 1874, at Te Araroa, on the east coast of the North Island. He was educated at Te Aute College, a primary school for Māori children. In 1893, he became New Zealand’s first Māori graduate when he earned a B.A. degree in political science from Canterbury College (now Canterbury University). He later earned an M.A. degree. In 1897, he earned a law degree at Auckland University College.
In 1905, Ngata entered Parliament as a representative of the Eastern Māori constituency. His term in office lasted 38 years. Notably, he served as minister of native affairs from 1928 to 1934. In 1931, Ngata began the Māori Land Development Plan, which sought to improve Māori agriculture and expand the amount of land being cultivated. He also helped found the Māori Board of Ethnological Research, an organization dedicated to the preservation of Māori culture.
Ngata was knighted in 1927 for his work toward Māori cultural and economic revival and revitalization. He died in Waiomatatini on July 14, 1950.
