Story: Te Tiriti o Waitangi – the Treaty of Waitangi

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 rangatira to become the region’s first Māori member of Parliament. However, Taonui refused to stand and Frederick Nene Russell was elected unopposed.

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Hokianga History and Memorabilia

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How to cite this page:

Claudia Orange, 'Te Tiriti o Waitangi – the Treaty of Waitangi - Māori responses to te tiriti – 1880 to 1900', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/37970/first-maori-mps-frederick-nene-russell (accessed 19 April 2024)

Story by Claudia Orange, published 20 Jun 2012, reviewed & revised 28 Mar 2023 with assistance from Claudia Orange