- Te Rata
Te Rata Mahuta was born some time between 1877 and 1880 and was the eldest son of the third Māori King, Mahuta and Te Marae, daughter of the fighting Chief Amukete Te Kerei who was killed in battle at
Rangiriri in November 1863. Te Rata was invested with the kingship on November 24 1912, about 2 weeks after his father's death. As was the custom for a new Māori King, he assumed the title name of Pōtatau Te Wherowhero, thus beginning a kingship dogged by ill health and controversy.As a child, Te Rata had been a chronic invalid and had suffered several illnesses including rheumatoid arthritis and heart disease. The former greatly affected his ability to carry out his role as King. This was particularly apparent during an expedition to England in 1914. This expedition had been undertaken with the aim of presenting British officials with a petition concerning breaches of the
Treaty of Waitangi ; namely, that Māori land had been unjustly confiscated following the Anglo-Maori wars. However, during his voyage to England, Te Rata ended up suffering repeated attacks of rheumatics. For example, during a stop-over inHonolulu , he was unable to accept an invitation from the nations's aging Queen,Liliuokilani , the last ruler of her people prior to annexation. Furthermore, these attacks continued following his arrival in England on May 21 1914. Indeed, Te Rata was so unwell that he ended up turning down a meeting with important British officials, although he eventually was able to meet with King George and Queen Mary.
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