Rangi Mawhete
New Zealand land agent, politician (1880–1961)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Rangiputangatahi Mawhete OBE (4 March 1880 – 24 July 1961), born as William Arthur Moffatt and commonly known as Rangi Mawhete, was a New Zealand land agent, interpreter and politician.
Rangi Mawhete | |
|---|---|
| |
| Member of the Legislative Council | |
| In office 9 March 1936 – 8 March 1950 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 4 March 1880 Tiakitahuna, Manawatu, New Zealand |
| Died | 24 July 1961 (aged 81) Palmerston North, New Zealand |
| Party | Labour Party |
Early life
Of Māori descent, he identified with the Muaūpoko and Rangitāne iwi. He was born in Tiakitahuna, Manawatu/Horowhenua, New Zealand on 4 March 1880.[1] He was a grandson of the Rangitane chief Te Aweawe, and educated at Te Aute College.
Political career
He unsuccessfully stood for Western Maori; in 1914 with an unknown political affiliation (of six candidates, he came fourth),[2] in 1922 as an Independent, and in 1925 for Labour.[1] He organised a 1931 meeting between Ratana and Labour and organised the 1932 Māori Labour conference. In 1935 he warned against an exclusive Ratana-Labour alliance as dividing rather than uniting Māori.[3]
He was a member of the Legislative Council for two terms from 9 March 1936 to 8 March 1950.[4]
In 1953, Mawhete was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal.[5] In the 1959 Queen's Birthday Honours, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, for services to the Māori people.[6]
Death
He died in Palmerston North on 24 July 1961 and was buried in Terrace End Cemetery.[1][7]