Apirana Turupa Ngata was one of the most influential and important people in New Zealand in the twentieth century. His life’s work was focused on restoring the balance of Maori and Pakeha in New Zealand and improving social conditions for Maori. He was born in 1874 to Paratene Ngata, of Ngati Porou, and Katerina Naki, a half-caste Ngati Porou from Waipiro Bay. He was educated at Waiomatatini Maori School, Te Aute College and Canterbury College (Canterbury University). He was a Member of Parliament for 38 years and the Minister of Maori Affairs for six of them. He was the third Maori to be knighted and is featured on the NZ $50 note. He died in 1950 at the age of 76.
