About Matiu Ratana
Lived 1912 – 1949 (aged 36). Matiu Ratana was a New Zealand politician.
Matiu Rātana (16 December 1912 – 7 October 1949), son of Tahupotiki Wiremu Rātana, was a New Zealand politician and president of the Rātana Church.
Political career
A son of Tahupōtiki Wiremu Rātana, the founder of the Rātana religion, Matiu Rātana was a younger brother to Haami Tokouru Rātana, whom he succeeded to the Church Presidency, and to the Western Maori electorate (from 10 February 1945, after a by-election) after his brother's death in 1944.
Matiu Rātana died on 7 October 1949 in Wanganui Hospital after a car accident. He was succeeded by his wife Iriaka Rātana as MP. She was the first female Māori MP.
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Important facts
People in Matiu Ratana's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Matiu Ratana's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Matiu Ratana?
New Zealand politician
When was Matiu Ratana born?
Matiu Ratana was born on 16 December 1912.
When did Matiu Ratana die?
Matiu Ratana died on 7 October 1949 in Whanganui.
What was Matiu Ratana's occupation?
Matiu Ratana was a politician.
What nationality was Matiu Ratana?
Matiu Ratana was New Zealand.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Matiu Ratana. https://biography.guide/matiu-ratana/
MLA: "Matiu Ratana." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/matiu-ratana/.
Chicago: "Matiu Ratana." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/matiu-ratana/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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