Story: Ngā māngai – Māori representation

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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How to cite this page:

Rawiri Taonui, 'Ngā māngai – Māori representation - Representation in Parliament', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/37399/first-maori-mps-frederick-nene-russell (accessed 25 April 2024)

Story by Rawiri Taonui, published 20 Jun 2012, reviewed & revised 15 Jul 2016