Tiaki Omana

Tiaki Omana , also known as John or Jack Ormond is a former New Zealand politician who captured the Ratana Movement's fourth Maori seat of Eastern Maori in 1943 from Apirana Ngata who had held it since 1905. He was of Ngati Kahungunu descent and was also a grandson of John Davies Ormond, first Superintendent of Hawke's Bay.

Early life

A keen rugby player, Tiaki Omana played Ranfurly Shield matches for his province and once for the All Blacks in 1923 against a team from New South Wales. Even after joining the New Zealand Maori (Pioneer) Battalion and fighting in France during World War One, he was still able to play on the wing for the Pioneer Battalion team.

Omana was a sheepfarmer on the isolated Mahia Peninsula before becoming a Member of Parliament.

Political career

A koata of the 'second cut', Omana first contested the Tairawhiti seat of Eastern Maori in 1928, finally winning the seat in 1943. As a Ratana/Labour member, he raisd the issue of land claims, housing and health for Maori, and discrimination in social security. Omana held the seat until his retirement in 1963, when he returned to farming and to his original Church of England faith.

Ratana name

Tiaki Omana was also referred to as Hamuera after Tahupotiki Wiremu Ratana's son Hamuera Ratana, symbol of the end of tohunga witchcraft.

References

• Henderson, James Mcleod (1963). Ratana The Man, The Church, The Movement (1st ed.) A.H & A.W. Reed Ltd ISBN 0-589-00619-3.

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