Biography: Tirikatene-Sullivan, Tini Whetu Marama

Whetū Tirikātene-Sullivan and husband Denis

Whetū Tirikātene married Denis Sullivan in March 1967, shortly after replacing her father in the Southern Māori seat. Whetū enjoyed dressing in garments featuring Māori motifs, and was keenly aware of the political statement she made through her design choices.

Using this item

Archives New Zealand – Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga

Reference: AAQT 6419 CR113

Permission of Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga must be obtained before any re-use of this material.

How to cite this page

Helen Brown. 'Tirikatene-Sullivan, Tini Whetu Marama', Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, first published in 2020. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/46991/whetu-tirikatene-sullivan-and-husband-denis (accessed 23 June 2026).