Paratene Ngata was born at Tolaga Bay, the son of Paraone Ngata and Mere Wape Maurirere and a great-grandson of Hone Teihi Ngata, half-brother of Sir Apirana Ngata. He was educated at Mangatuna and Whakaangiangi Primary Schools and St Stephen’s School, Bombay, Auckland. In 1966 Ngata received a scholarship from the Ngarimu V.C. and the 28th Battalion Memorial Scholarship Fund Board. He studied medicine at Otago University and at Auckland University. He has an MB ChB, a Dip.Obst, and a D.Committ. Ngata is currently working as a general Medical Practitioner in Gisborne, is a part-time medical officer for Māori health for the Tairawhiti Area Health Board, and is a member of the establishment Board of the Midland Regional Health Authority. He writes policy development on Māori health issues, research and funding proposals, historical collation of Māori health issues, documentation and development, Nga Kōrero tawhito o Te Aitanga a Hauti/Nga Ira.
Biographical sources
- Correspondence and phone conversation with Dr Pat Ngata, 24 Dec. 1992, and 9 Sept. 1998.
Non-fiction
- "Nga mahi hi ika a te Māori." Te Māori 2.1 (1970/71): 13.
- Māori language text.
- "A Māori Perspective of Health." L. Dyall and P. Ngata. People & Planning 32 (1984): 18-19.
- The authors present an account of the Māori philosophy of health which includes Te Taha Wairua [spiritual wellbeing], Te Taha Hinengaro - mental wellbeing], Te Taha Whanau [family wellbeing], and Te Taha Tinana [physical wellbeing]. They conclude by listing five considerations for planners and decision-makers when focusing on New Zealand and Māori health issues.
- "Health: a Māori View." By P. Ngata and L. Dyall. Health 36.2 (1984): 3-5. Rpt. in Tu Tangata 23 (1985): 20.
- Co-authored with L. Dyall.
- "Understanding the cultural implications of drugs." New Ethicals (Sept. 1986): 23-28.
- Co-authored with Eru Pomare.
- "Death, Dying and Grief, A Māori Perspective." Tangihanga. Comp. Nick Tangaroa. [Auckland, N.Z.]: The New Zealand Amalgamated Engineers Union, 1988. 5-14.
- Ngata provides a comprehensive account of the Māori response and ritual concerning the dying and deceased He begins by writing of Te Ao Māori [The Māori Universe] noting the laws of tapu that can cause Mate Wairua [spiritual sickness], and the importance of whanau support and sustenance. He gives a step-by-step explanation of the different Māori beliefs, responses and rituals concerning the Te Turoto and Te Tangata Taumaha I Te Mate [the sick patient and the seriously ill patient], and the deceased, and outlines the ceremonies involved in the funeral: Te Karanga [The Call of Welcome], Te Tangi [The Expression of Grief and Sorrow], Te Whaikōrero [The Speech Making], Te Hongi [The Pressing of Noses], Whakakotahi Whakaaro [Unity of Effort and Support], Te Ra Nehu [The Day of Interment], The Takahi Whare [Tramping of the House], Te Kawe Mate [Taking the Spirit of the Deceased], and Te Hurahanga Pohatu [Unveiling of the Memorial Stone]. He concludes by examining how urbanisation and other socio-economic changes have impacted on the Māori processes of grieving.
- "Cultural Factors in Medicine Taking - A Māori Perspective." New Ethicals Special Article (June 1992): 43-50.
- Co-authored with Eru Pomare.
Other
- "Scholarship Holder." In "People and Places." Te Ao Hou 56 (1966): 36-39.
- Noting that Ngata is awarded a scholarship by the Ngarimu V.C. and 28th Battalion Memorial Scholarship Fund Board.