New Minister of Maori Affairs

As the first Maori in 40 years to hold the portfolio of Minister of Maori Affairs, Matiu Rata intends to help people help themselves.

Born in Te Hapua, Northland, in 1934, he is of Aupouri and Ngapuhi tribes. Leaving school early, he spent seven years at sea before joining the Railways at Otahuhu, where he soon became an executive member of his union. In a by-election in 1963, he followed the late Mr T. P. Paikea as M.P. for Northern Maori. He and his wife Nellie have three children, Mane, aged 14, Mary-Anne, 13, and three-year-old Matthew.

Mr Rata intends to make ‘meet-the-people’ tours up and down the country as his ministerial duties permit.