Ngati Kahungunu leader James Carroll (1857–1926) became the first Maori to win a general seat when he triumphed in Waiapu in 1893. Carroll's father was European and his mother was of Ngati Kahungunu. Carroll served as a Cabinet minister in the Liberal government and remained in Parliament until 1919, first representing Waiapu and then, from 1908, the new electorate of Gisborne. With the formal separation of the European and Maori electoral systems in 1896, he was the last Maori to hold a general (European) seat until 1975. He was acting prime minister for periods in 1909 and 1911. Read more about James Carroll.
Alexander Turnbull Library
Reference: F50150 1/2
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