Story: Tōrangapū – Māori and political parties

First Māori MPs: Frederick Nene Russell (2nd of 3)

First Māori MPs: Frederick Nene Russell

Frederick Nene Russell was the son of a Hokianga timber trader and his Māori second wife, Herina Tuku. In 1868 the Hokianga prophet Āperahama Taonui was chosen by northern chiefs to become the region's first Māori MP. However, Taonui refused to campaign and Frederick Nene Russell was elected unopposed.

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Hokianga History and Memorabilia

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How to cite this page:

Ann Sullivan, 'Tōrangapū – Māori and political parties - Creating a Māori electoral system', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/37122/first-maori-mps-frederick-nene-russell (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Ann Sullivan, published 20 Jun 2012, reviewed & revised 18 Jul 2016