Born: 1868 (Lower Waihou, Panguru, Hokianga Valley, New Zealand)
Died: 1920 (Panguru, New Zealand)
Biography:
Meri Te Tai Mangakāhia (22 May 1868 – 10 October 1920) was a prominent figure in the campaign for women’s suffrage in New Zealand. Her dedication to the cause and her advocacy for the rights of Māori women inspired future generations and left a lasting impact on New Zealand society.
Mangakāhia was born Meri Te Tai in Lower Waihou near Panguru in the Hokianga valley. She belonged to the Te Rarawa iwi and had ancestral ties to Ngāti Te Rēinga, Ngāti Manawa, and Te Kaitutae. Her father, Re Te Tai, was an influential chief, and she grew up within a community that valued its Māori traditions.
Despite coming from a modest background, Mangakāhia had the opportunity to receive an education at St Mary’s Convent in Auckland. This education played a crucial role in broadening her horizons and nurturing her natural talents. She excelled as an accomplished pianist, further demonstrating her passion for the arts.
In 1892, Mangakāhia married Hāmiora Mangakāhia, who held a position as an assessor in the Native Land Court. Her husband’s involvement in politics and her own drive for change led Mangakāhia to become actively engaged in political movements advocating for women’s suffrage.
In 1893, Mangakāhia made history by becoming the first woman to address the Kotahitanga Parliament, where she presented a motion advocating for Māori women’s right to vote and hold political office. She argued that Māori women, who historically held landownership rights, should not be excluded from political representation. Mangakāhia believed that through political involvement, Māori women could regain their voice and have a say in resolving land disputes with the Crown.
Mangakāhia’s tireless efforts and persuasive arguments paid off in 1897 when women won the right to vote in Te Kotahitanga elections. This landmark achievement marked a significant step forward for Māori women’s political representation and set the stage for future advancements in women’s rights in New Zealand.
Following this success, Mangakāhia remained actively involved in various Māori political and welfare movements. She joined the women’s committee of the Kotahitanga movement, which would later evolve into the Māori Women’s Welfare League. Mangakāhia, along with Niniwa I te Rangi of Wairarapa, started Te Reiri Karamu (The Ladies’ Column), a collection of articles and letters where Māori women could raise and debate women’s issues.
Tragically, Meri Mangakāhia’s life was cut short when she succumbed to influenza on 10 October 1920 in Panguru. She was laid to rest at Pureirei cemetery near her father’s burial site. Her legacy as a trailblazer in women’s suffrage and her influential role in Māori politics and welfare movements continue to inspire generations of New Zealanders.