ĀPIRANA NGATA

1874-1950

A close friend of Peter Buck, Āpirana Ngata was a skilled politician who used this talent to improve conditions for the Māori, and was also the first of his people to complete a degree at a New Zealand university. Initially he worked to improve local affairs, particularly through initiatives such as the Waiapu Farmers’ Cooperative company. As he moved into national issues, he helped draft acts such as the Māori Councils Act, allowing elected councils to undertake local functions. However, his biggest achievements were to come later with a number of land development schemes as native minister. These schemes helped improve farming and encouraged, against opposition, a greater preservation of Māori culture.