Taurekareka "Tau" HÃÂnare (1878 â 12 January 1940) was a MÃÂori member of the New Zealand Parliament from 1914 to 1938, sitting for the Reform Party for most of that time, until it merged with the United Party to form the National Party in 1936.
HÃÂnare was born at Pipiwai, where his father farmed, in the Bay of Islands, in 1878 (probably) or 1877. His father, HÃÂnare Wynyard, was said to be the son of Robert Wynyard, acting governor of New Zealand. His mother was Pane Peeni. HÃÂnare was initially given the name Taurekareka Wynyard, but later adopted his father's first name as his own surname – this was likely because Robert Wynyard had been active in fighting against MÃÂori, and his grandson, raised as MÃÂori, did not wish to bear his name. HÃÂnare was also closely related to a number of prominent figures of MÃÂori history, including Hà Âne Heke. He was a member of the NgÃÂpuhi iwi, and his strongest affinity was with the NgÃÂti Hine hapà «.
HÃÂnare had no formal education in the Western sense, but was taught MÃÂori lore and traditions. He was raised for a time by Wi Pere (later to serve in Parliament) on the East Coast, but later returned north, possibly to avoid an arranged marriage. In 1903, HÃÂnare married Hera Paerata, whose mother Ritihia was MÃÂori and father a member of the Subritzky family from Poland.
In the 1914 election, HÃÂnare stood for the conservative Reform Party in the Northern Maori electorate of the Parliament, and won. He did not often participate in parliamentary debates, but was heavily involved in policy related to MÃÂori interests. He worked closely with ÃÂpirana Ngata, a member of the Liberal Party, on a number of important issues, and took part in the consolidation of MÃÂori lands in the North Auckland area.
In World War I, HÃÂnare argued against conscription of MÃÂori, and suggested that the return of confiscated lands might persuade MÃÂori to volunteer. He also helped MÃÂori soldiers re-establish themselves upon their return from the war. In the influenza epidemic of 1918 he assisted the delivery of healthcare to MÃÂori. HÃÂnare's wife Hera was among those who died in the epidemic. HÃÂnare also played a role in shaping Reform Party policy on MÃÂori issues. He supported the efforts of Gordon Coates, then Minister of Native Affairs, to expand the role of his department, and promoted reforms of the MÃÂori school system.
HÃÂnare remained in Parliament until the 1938 election, when he was defeated by Paraire Karaka Paikea of the Labour Party who was affiliated with the Labour-aligned RÃÂtana movement, whose rise HÃÂnare had opposed.
HÃÂnare died in 1940 at his farm near Kawakawa. He was survived by six sons and two daughters. His son, Sir James HÃÂnare, was a prominent military officer, and his daughter, Ihapera Taua, was an important figure in the MÃÂori Women's Welfare League.
Two of this great-grandsons later served as members of the New Zealand Parliament: Tau HÃÂnare (as an MP for New Zealand First, then Mauri Pacific and later the National Party) and Peeni HÃÂnare (as an MP for the Labour Party).