Paratene Ngata

Ngāti Rangi, Ngāti Porou

1849 - 1924

Paratene Ngata was born in Ahikouka on the East Coast, son of Wiremu Karaka (or Wi Tito) and Hera Raengawha,(daughter of Tipene Ruataupare). He was raised in the family of Major Rapata Wahawaha, M.L.C., and was educated at William Williams’ mission school at Waerenga-a-hika. He later joined the Armed Constabulary No 9 division. Ngata had three sons. Hone was the eldest son by Hariata Fox, and Apirana and Renata were his sons by Katerina Naki whom Ngata married in 1867. Ngata owned a store and accommodation house at Port Awanui and at Te Araroa (formerly known as Kawakawa). He farmed sheep at Tokomaru Bay. Ngata was an assessor in the Native Land Court and gave evidence in 1891 at the parliamentary commission on native land laws. He wrote an autobiographical journal which is now stored in the Turnbull Library.

Biographical sources

  • Correspondence from Sir Henare Ngata, 4 Aug. 1998.
  • Ramsden, Eric. Sir Apirana Ngata and Māori Culture. Wellington, N.Z.: Reed, 1948. 29.
  • Oliver, Steven. "Ngata, Paratene 1849?-1924." The Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Vol. 1: 1769-1869. Wellington, N.Z.: Allen & Unwin
  • Dept. of Internal Affairs, 1990. 310-311.

    Biography

  • Autobiographical Journal. Housed in the Alexander Turnbull Library. An extract was published as "Apirana Nohopari Turupa Ngata." Journal of the Polynesian Society 59 (1950): 280-285.
  • The articleinthe Journal of the Polynesian Society includes the Māori language text and English translation of extracts from Paratene Ngata’s journal concerning the circumstances surrounding the birth and baptism of Apirana Ngata.

    • Non-fiction

  • Te Waka Māori o Aotearoa. Ed. Paratene Ngata. No. 1 (Pepuere [February] 29, 1884) - No. 17 (Noema [November] 14, 1884). Turanganui, N.Z.: P. Ngata, 1884.
  • "Notes On The Rev. H. W. Williams’ Paper On ‘The Māori Whare’." A. T. Ngata, M.A. Journal of the Polynesian Society 6 (1897): 85-88.
  • In this critique by Apirana Ngata of Williams’ essay "The Māori Whare" published in the Journal of the Polynesian Society 5 (1896): 145-155, Ngata lists fifteen points made by his father, Paratene Ngata, that add to and in some cases correct details presented in Williams’ paper.

    • Other

  • "Ki a te Kai Tuhi o te Waka Māori/To the Editor of the Waka Māori." Te Waka Māori O Niu Tirani 12.22 (1875): 274-275.
  • Ngata reports on the construction of a miniature canoe by W. Paerau Tutaepa of Waiapu.
  • "Nga mahi hi ika a te Māori." Te Māori: The Official Journal of the New Zealand Māori Council 2.1 (1970/71): 13.

    Other

  • Oliver, Steven. "Ngata, Paratene 1849?-1924." The Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ed. W. H. Oliver. Vol. 1. 1769 -1869. Wellington, N.Z.: Allen & Unwin; Dept. of Internal Affairs, 1990. 310-311.
  • "Ko Paratene Ngata Kua Moe I Te Moengaroa." Te Toa Takitini 42 (Kirihimete [Christmas], 1924 me Hanuere [January] 1, 1925): 161-162.
  • In Māori.
  • "Tangi Mo Paratene Ngata." Te Toa Takitini 43 (1925): 184.
  • In Māori.
  • Paretiti, Tutengaehe H. "He Mihi Ki A Paratene." Te Toa Takitini 44 (1925): 197.
  • In Māori.