NGATA, PARATENE (1851-1924) was a member of the Whanau-a-Te Ao, Ngati-Rangi and Whanau-a-Karuai hapu of Ngati-Porou. A son of Wiremu Te Karaka, of Reporua, and Hera Ruataupare, of Waiomatatini, he was brought up by Major Ropata Wahawaha (q.v.), whose wife Harata Te Ihi, was a younger sister of Paratene's mother. He saw service as a lad with Ropata during the later Maori wars on the East Coast. He married in 1871 Katerina Naki, of Akuaku. Ngata had a little education at Bishop Williams's school at Waerenga-a-Hika, Gisborne, but was largely self-taught. During the years following the Maori war on the East Coast he led a varied life as storekeeper, hotelkeeper, sheepfarmer and native land agent. Having been appointed an assessor of the native land court, he was associated with Major Mair (a judge of the court) in the investigation of title of native lands in the King Country (Rohe-Potae) and Taupo, and as agent and conductor took a leading part in the title investigation of large native blocks in the Thames, Hawkes Bay, Wairarapa and East Coast districts. He thus acquired a unique knowledge of Maori tradition, custom and tribal history. He made one effort to enter parliament, opposing Wi Pere in the 1894 election for the Eastern Maori district. The last 20 years of his life were spent at his home at Waiomatatini, taking a prominent part with the elders and chiefs of the Ngati-Porou tribe in promoting the schemes of consolidation of titles, incorporation of owners of lands for their better organisation and financial assistance, native land settlement, improvement of maraes and communal buildings and other activities in which that tribe pioneered the way for the Maori race. He was a keen educationalist, an expert in the traditions of his people, and an enthusiastic advocate of progress. For many years he was chairman of the Horouta Maori council, chairman of the Waiomatatini native school committee and manager of the Waiomatatini station.

One of his sons is SIR APIRANA TURUPA NGATA (1874-), who graduated M.A. and LL.B. at the University of New Zealand, was M.P. for the Eastern Maori (1905-) and a prominent leader of the Maori renaissance. He was a member of Sir Joseph Ward's executive (1909-12) and Native Minister (1928-35).

Cycl. NZ, vi (p); Who's Who NZ, 1908, 1924, 1932; NZ Herald, 11 Mar 1924.

Reference: Volume 2, page 64

🌳 Further sources