# Southern Maori

Southern Maori was one of New Zealand's four original parliamentary Māori electorates established in 1868, along with Northern Maori, Western Maori and Eastern Maori. In 1996, with the introduction of MMP, the Maori electorates were updated, and Southern Maori was replaced with the Te Tai Tonga and Te Puku O Te Whenua electorates.

## Population centres

From its initial definition of the Maori electorates in 1867 to the 1954 Maori electoral boundary redefinition, the Southern Maori electorate covered the entire South Island plus it included Stewart Island. It did not include the Chatham Islands, which did not belong to any Maori electorate until after a change to the Legislative Act and from the 1922 election, the Chatham Islands belonged to the Western Maori electorate. The 1954 redefinition responded to the fact that the Southern Maori electorate had a much lower voter base than the three other Maori electorates, and this was responded to by adding the south-eastern part of the North Island to the Southern Maori electorate. Population centres that came to the electorate through this measure included Wellington, Masterton, Palmerston North, Napier, and Wairoa. These changes became effective with the 1954 election.
The next redistribution of Maori electoral boundaries was carried out in 1983, just after the responsibility for doing so had been transferred to the Representation Commission. The North Island boundaries of the Southern Maori electorate were adjusted, and Palmerston North transferred to the Western Maori electorate in that process. These boundaries were used in the 1984 election. Further boundary adjustments were undertaken in 1987, which became operative with the 1987 election.

## Tribal areas

Ngāi Tahu and Ngati Kahungunu were the dominant tribes within the area covered by the electorate.

## History

The Southern Maori electorate included the whole of the South Island to 1954, but its population was less than that of the other Māori electorates. In 1954 the boundaries were extended to include much of the East Coast of the North Island up to Napier and Wairoa in Hawkes Bay.
The first member of parliament for the new Māori electorate of Southern Maori from 1868 was John Patterson; he retired in 1870.
In 1932, Eruera Tirikatene won the electorate in a by-election and became the first Rātana MP; and then a Labour MP following the Labour-Ratana pact. When he died in 1967 his daughter Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan took over the seat in a 1967 by-election.
In 1993 the National Party did not stand a candidate in the electorate as their proposed candidate did not apply in time.
In 1996 with mixed-member proportional (MMP) representation, the Te Tai Tonga electorate covering the South Island took over the major part of the Southern Maori electorate. Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan who had held the Southern Maori electorate for many years narrowly lost the new seat to Tu Wyllie of New Zealand First and retired from politics.

### Members of Parliament

The Southern Maori electorate was represented by ten Members of Parliament:
Key
Independent Liberal Reform United Ratana Labour
| Election | Winner |
| 1868 Māori election | John Patterson |
| 1871 election | Hōri Kerei Taiaroa |
| 1876 election | Hōri Kerei Taiaroa |
| 1879 by-election | Ihaia Tainui |
| 1879 election | Ihaia Tainui |
| 1881 by-election | Hōri Kerei Taiaroa (2nd period) |
| 1881 election | Hōri Kerei Taiaroa (2nd period) |
| 1884 election | Hōri Kerei Taiaroa (2nd period) |
| 1885 by-election | Tame Parata |
| 1887 election | Tame Parata |
| 1890 election | Tame Parata |
| 1893 election | Tame Parata |
| 1896 election | Tame Parata |
| 1899 election | Tame Parata |
| 1902 election | Tame Parata |
| 1905 election | Tame Parata |
| 1908 election | Tame Parata |
| 1911 election | Taare Parata |
| 1914 election | Taare Parata |
| 1918 by-election | Hopere Uru |
| 1919 election | Hopere Uru |
| 1922 by-election | Henare Uru |
| 1922 election | Henare Uru |
| 1925 election | Henare Uru |
| 1928 election | Tuiti Makitanara |
| 1931 election | Tuiti Makitanara |
| 1932 by-election | Eruera Tirikatene |
| 1935 election | Eruera Tirikatene |
| 1938 election | Eruera Tirikatene |
| 1943 election | Eruera Tirikatene |
| 1946 election | Eruera Tirikatene |
| 1949 election | Eruera Tirikatene |
| 1951 election | Eruera Tirikatene |
| 1954 election | Eruera Tirikatene |
| 1957 election | Eruera Tirikatene |
| 1960 election | Eruera Tirikatene |
| 1963 election | Eruera Tirikatene |
| 1966 election | Eruera Tirikatene |
| 1967 by-election | Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan |
| 1969 election | Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan |
| 1972 election | Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan |
| 1975 election | Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan |
| 1978 election | Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan |
| 1981 election | Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan |
| 1984 election | Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan |
| 1987 election | Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan |
| 1990 election | Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan |
| 1993 election | Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan |
| (Electorate abolished in 1996; see Te Tai Tonga) |||

## Election results

Note that the affiliation of many early candidates is not known.

### 1993 election

1993 general election: Southern Maori :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan | 9,631 | 57.94 | −16.56 |
| | NZ First | Jules Parkinson | 3,291 | 19.80 | |
| | Alliance | Tikirau Stevens | 2,541 | 15.28 | +3.64 |
| | Mana Māori | Reitu Noble Harris | 702 | 4.22 | |
| | Christian Heritage | Rawiri Whare | 336 | 2.02 | |
| | Natural Law | Tim Irwin | 119 | 0.71 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 6,340 | 38.14 | −24.72 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 16,620 | 63.96 | −5.69 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 25,984 | | |

### 1990 election

1990 general election: Southern Maori :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan | 9,024 | 74.50 | −2.38 |
| | Mana Motuhake | Tikirau Stevens | 1,410 | 11.64 | +1.92 |
| | National | Jack Mei | 1,287 | 10.62 | +2.81 |
| | Independent | Dun Mihaka | 391 | 3.22 | +0.80 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 7,614 | 62.86 | −4.29 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 12,112 | 58.27 | −10.69 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 20,785 | | |

### 1987 election

1987 general election: Southern Maori :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan | 10,130 | 76.88 | −1.40 |
| | Mana Motuhake | Tikirau Stevens | 1,282 | 9.72 | |
| | National | Jack Mei | 1,030 | 7.81 | +1.30 |
| | Democrats | Robert Aramakuru | 344 | 2.61 | +1.11 |
| | Independent | Dun Mihaka | 319 | 2.42 | +1.25 |
| | Independent | Clive Dooley | 71 | 0.53 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 8,848 | 67.15 | −2.52 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 13,176 | 68.96 | −9.08 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 19,104 | | |

### 1984 election

1984 general election: Southern Maori :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan | 11,792 | 78.28 | +6.64 |
| | Mana Motuhake | Amster Reedy | 1,297 | 8.61 | −3.05 |
| | National | Jack Mei | 982 | 6.51 | |
| | NZ Party | Willard Amaru | 427 | 2.83 | |
| | Social Credit | Robert Aramakuru | 226 | 1.50 | −6.20 |
| | Independent | Dun Mihaka | 177 | 1.17 | −0.70 |
| | Independent | Halverson Watene | 161 | 1.06 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 10,495 | 69.67 | +9.70 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 15,062 | 78.04 | +4.90 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 19,300 | | |

### 1981 election

1981 general election: Southern Maori :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan | 10,685 | 71.64 | −10.68 |
| | Mana Motuhake | Amster Reedy | 1,740 | 11.66 | |
| | Social Credit | Robert Aramakuru | 1,149 | 7.70 | |
| | National | Barry Kiwara | 1,060 | 7.10 | |
| | Independent | Dun Mihaka | 280 | 1.87 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 8,945 | 59.97 | −13.76 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 14,914 | 73.14 | +32.94 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 20,390 | | |

### 1978 election

1978 general election: Southern Maori :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan | 10,250 | 82.32 | +7.72 |
| | National | Charles Piharo Maitai | 1,070 | 8.59 | |
| | Social Credit | Waireti Ate Mangai Gregory | 1,013 | 8.13 | |
| | Values | Martin Burdan | 117 | 0.93 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 9,180 | 73.73 | +11.29 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 12,450 | 40.20 | −16.31 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 30,966 | | |

### 1975 election

1975 general election: Southern Maori :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan | 7,708 | 74.60 | −13.06 |
| | National | Willard Amaru | 1,256 | 12.15 | |
| | Social Credit | Lucy Kaumau | 598 | 5.78 | |
| | Independent Labour | William Whareupoko Mohi | 358 | 3.46 | |
| | Values | Wiki Cuirrie | 246 | 2.38 | |
| | Independent | Te Puke Watson | 166 | 1.60 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 6,452 | 62.44 | −26.89 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 10,332 | 56.51 | −14.79 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 18,282 | | |

### 1972 election

1972 general election: Southern Maori :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan | 9,078 | 87.66 | +4.71 |
| | National | Kate Parahi | 827 | 7.98 | |
| | Social Credit | Gale M. Ngakuru | 450 | 4.34 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 9,251 | 89.33 | +18.84 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 10,355 | 71.30 | +0.81 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 14,522 | | |

### 1969 election

1969 general election: Southern Maori :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan | 7,802 | 82.95 | +8.64 |
| | National | Norra Woodbane Pomare | 1,172 | 12.46 | |
| | Social Credit | Tamati W. Makitanare | 290 | 3.08 | |
| | Independent | Kenneth Rangi | 141 | 1.49 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 6,630 | 70.49 | +16.69 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 9,405 | 70.40 | +19.93 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 13,359 | | |

### 1967 by-election

1967 Southern Maori by-election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Whetu Tirikatene | 4,968 | 74.31 | |
| | National | Baden Pere | 1,371 | 20.51 | −1.17 |
| | Social Credit | James Hugh MacDonald | 347 | 5.18 | −0.85 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,597 | 53.80 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,686 | 50.47 | −12.21 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 13,248 | | |

### 1966 election

1966 general election: Southern Maori :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Eruera Tirikatene | 5,474 | 72.28 | −5.09 |
| | National | Baden Pere | 1,642 | 21.68 | |
| | Social Credit | James Hugh MacDonald | 457 | 6.03 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,832 | 50.60 | −12.91 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,573 | 62.68 | −7.37 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 12,081 | | |

### 1963 election

1963 general election: Southern Maori :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Eruera Tirikatene | 6,065 | 77.37 | +1.80 |
| | National | Ben Couch | 1,087 | 13.86 | |
| | Young Maori | Rua Bristowe | 387 | 4.93 | |
| | Social Credit | Matua Ereatara Niania | 299 | 3.81 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 4,978 | 63.51 | +5.39 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,838 | 70.05 | −1.21 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 11,189 | | |

### 1960 election

1960 general election: Southern Maori :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Eruera Tirikatene | 5,132 | 75.57 | −2.95 |
| | National | Rangi Tutaki | 1,185 | 17.44 | |
| | Social Credit | Matua Ereatara Niania | 474 | 6.97 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,947 | 58.12 | −6.39 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,791 | 71.26 | −11.19 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 9,529 | | |

### 1957 election

1957 general election: Southern Maori :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Eruera Tirikatene | 5,335 | 78.52 | +14.43 |
| | National | Thomas Stratton | 952 | 14.01 | |
| | Social Credit | Hinerapa Ihipera Ropiha | 394 | 5.79 | |
| | Kauhananui | Tamati Wi Makitanare | 113 | 1.66 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 4,383 | 64.51 | +23.28 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,794 | 82.45 | −10.33 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 8,240 | | |

### 1954 election

1954 general election: Southern Maori :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Eruera Tirikatene | 4,452 | 64.09 | −11.27 |
| | National | Turi Carroll | 1,588 | 22.86 | |
| | Independent Labour | Rangi Logan | 477 | 6.86 | |
| | Social Credit | Matenga Baker | 261 | 3.75 | |
| | Maori Labour | A T Huata | 168 | 2.41 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,864 | 41.23 | −9.50 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,946 | 92.78 | +1.95 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 7,486 | | |

### 1951 election

1951 general election: Southern Maori :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Eruera Tirikatene | 979 | 75.36 | −0.89 |
| | National | William Beaton | 320 | 24.63 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 659 | 50.73 | −3.27 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,299 | 90.83 | −3.04 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 1,430 | | |

### 1949 election

1949 general election: Southern Maori :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Eruera Tirikatene | 970 | 76.25 | +1.71 |
| | National | Huro Nathanial Bates | 283 | 22.24 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 19 | 1.49 | +0.28 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 687 | 54.00 | +3.70 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,272 | 93.87 | |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 1,355 | | |

### 1946 election

1946 general election: Southern Maori :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | Eruera Tirikatene | 861 | 74.54 |
| | National | Vernon Ohaia Mason Thomas | 280 | 24.24 |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 14 | 1.21 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 581 | 50.30 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,155 | |

### 1932 by-election

1932 Southern Maori by-election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Ratana | Eruera Tirikatene | 425 | 44.69 | +10.34 |
| | United/Reform | William Teihoka Parata | 184 | 19.35 | |
| | Independent | Peter McDonald | 132 | 13.88 | |
| | Independent | Joseph Beaton (United–Reform Coalition) | 113 | 11.88 | |
| | Independent | Tame Bragg (Reform) | 94 | 9.88 | |
| | Independent | Wiremu Mihaka | 3 | 0.32 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 241 | 25.34 | +23.27 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 951 | | |

### 1931 election

1931 general election: Southern Maori :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | United | Tuiti Makitanara | 334 | 36.42 |
| | Ratana | Eruera Tirikatene | 315 | 34.35 |
| | Independent | Hari Wi Katene | 268 | 29.23 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 19 | 2.07 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 917 | |

### 1922 by-election

1922 Southern Maori by-election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Reform | Henare Uru | 364 | 44.83 | |
| | Independent | Teone Matapura Erihana | 250 | 30.79 | +16.69 |
| | Independent | Wereta Tainui Pitama | 108 | 13.30 | |
| | Independent | Bill Barrett | 90 | 11.08 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 812 | | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 114 | 14.04 | −16.05 |

### 1918 by-election

1918 Southern Maori by-election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Independent | Hopere Uru | 242 | 38.78 |
| | Independent | Henare Parata | 223 | 35.74 |
| | Independent | Teone Matapura Erihana (Ellison) | 159 | 25.48 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 624 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 19 | 3.04 |

### 1899 election

1899 general election: Southern Maori :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Tame Parata | 387 | 63.86 | +24.64 |
| | | Taituha Hape | 219 | 36.14 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 168 | 27.72 | +10.81 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 606 | | |

### 1896 election

1896 general election: Southern Maori :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Tame Parata | 262 | 39.22 | −27.63 |
| | | Thomas Ellison | 149 | 22.31 | |
| | | Riki Te Mairaki Taiaroa | 144 | 21.56 | |
| | | Teoti Pita Mutu | 113 | 16.92 | −16.24 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 391 | 11.93 | −16.78 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 668 | | |

### 1893 election

1893 general election: Southern Maori :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Liberal | Tame Parata | 367 | 66.85 |
| | | Teoti Pita Mutu | 182 | 33.15 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 185 | 33.70 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 549 | |

### 1887 election

1887 general election: Southern Maori :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Independent | Tame Parata | 140 | 33.49 | −9.12 |
| | Independent | Thomas Ellison | 103 | 24.64 | |
| | Independent | Kahu | 103 | 24.64 | |
| | Independent | Hone Taare Tikao | 72 | 17.22 | −10.03 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 37 | 8.85 | −3.61 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 418 | | |

### 1885 by-election

1885 Southern Maori by-election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Independent | Tame Parata | 147 | 42.61 |
| | Independent | Henare Paratini | 104 | 30.14 |
| | Independent | Hone Taare Tikao | 94 | 27.25 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 43 | 12.46 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 345 | |

### 1879 by-election

1879 Southern Maori by-election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Independent | Ihaia Tainui | 191 | 49.23 |
| | Independent | Tari Wi or Toihaka | 78 | 20.10 |
| | Independent | Hori Paratene | 60 | 15.46 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 113 | 29.12 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 388 | |