Māui Pōmare

Māui Pōmare

[[File: Māui Pōmare in 1899 |frameless|alt=|Māui Pōmare in 1899]]
Name	Māui Pōmare
Birth name
Birth date	13 January 1875
Birth place	Pātea, New Zealand
Death date	27 June 1930
Death place	Los Angeles, California, United States
Alma mater
Occupation	Physician, Politician
Years active
Organization
Known for
Notable works
Spouse(s)
Website

Māui Wiremu Piti Naera Pōmare (13 January 1875 – 27 June 1930) was a prominent New Zealand physician and politician known for his work in improving the health and welfare of the Māori people. He was a key figure in the Māori Renaissance and played a significant role in the integration of Western medical practices with traditional Māori healing.

Early Life and Education

Māui Pōmare was born in Pātea, New Zealand, into the Ngāti Mutunga iwi. He was educated at Te Aute College, a school known for producing Māori leaders. Pōmare later attended the American Medical Missionary College in Chicago, where he graduated with a medical degree in 1899.

Medical Career

Upon returning to New Zealand, Pōmare was appointed as the first Māori Health Officer in 1901. In this role, he traveled extensively throughout the country, promoting sanitation and public health measures among Māori communities. He advocated for the eradication of diseases such as tuberculosis and typhoid, which were prevalent at the time.

Political Career

Pōmare entered politics in 1911 as a member of the Reform Party, representing the Western Māori electorate. He served as Minister of Health from 1923 to 1926, where he continued his efforts to improve Māori health and living conditions. Pōmare was also involved in land reform and worked to address grievances related to land confiscations.

Personal Life

Māui Pōmare married Miria Woodbine Johnson in 1903. The couple had several children. Pōmare's work often took him away from home, but he remained dedicated to his family and his community.

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Māui and Miria Pōmare's passport application in 1930

Legacy

Māui Pōmare's contributions to Māori health and his efforts in politics have left a lasting impact on New Zealand society. He is remembered as a pioneer in integrating Western medicine with Māori traditions and as a champion for the rights and welfare of the Māori people.

Also see

• Māori Renaissance
• Reform Party (New Zealand)
• Te Aute College
• Māori health