PARATA, WIREMU TE KAKAKURA (? 1837-1906), a chief of Ngati-Awa and Ngati-Toa, was born at Kapiti about 1837. His father was an American whaler named Stubbs, who settled at Kapiti a few years earlier and was drowned off Pukerua in 1838. From his mother, Waipunahau, who was a daughter of Te Rangihiroa, Parata derived his descent from Hoturoa, captain of the Tainui canoe. As a boy he lived in the palisaded pa at the mouth of the Waikanae river. He was for some years at Tongaporutu and later at Ngamotu (with the Ngati-Awa). He returned to Kapiti in a European vessel, lived for a while at Te Awaiti, and then went in a European ship to Port Cooper, where he resided with the Ngai-Tahu. He is said to have taken his name Te Kakakura from the dying speech of Te Pehi Kupe (q.v.).

Possessed of much natural ability, good address and force of character, and having inherited considerable land, Parata was a man of influence amongst the tribes on the Otaki coast and even in Waikato, where he had relatives. As secretary to his kinsman Wi Tako (q.v.), the leader of the King movement in the district, he held a position of importance in the early sixties. He recognised, however, the equivocal situation in which his people were, and early in 1864 he took the oath of allegiance proposed by Sir George Grey (a step in which he was followed by Wi Tako some months later). In 1871 Parata was elected to represent the Western Maori in Parliament, defeating Paetahi (q.v.), and shortly afterwards he was called to the executive (without portfolio) in the Waterhouse ministry. He continued to represent the Maori race in the governments under Fox, Vogel and Pollen until 1876, when he was defeated by Nahe. He was sent as secretary of the North Island Maori Committee at the request of Parliament to try to make peace at Parihaka. Parata died at Waikanae on 29 Sep 1906. His eldest son, Wi Naera, was imprisoned in connection with Te Whiti's resistance in 1879. Parata offered to become surety for the good conduct of the older chiefs, but declined to ask for his son better treatment than the rank and file enjoyed.

N.Z.P.D., 1871-76; N.Z. Times, 2 Oct 1906.

Reference: Volume 2, page 77

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