Henare Te Raumoa Huatahi Balneavis

Henare Balneavis, of Ngai Tamanuhiri and Whakatohea, was born in Poverty Bay in 1880. He was educated at Te Aute College and later worked as a law clerk at Gisborne. In 1903 he began working as a clerk and interpreter in the Native Land Court. In 1909 he became private secretary to Apirana Ngata, and continued in this role when Ngata became Native Minister. He went on to serve as private secretary to a number of Native Ministers including W. H. Herries, Gordon Coates, George Forbes and M. J. Savage.

Because of his obvious talents Balneavis became a national figure. If not able to directly influence Ministers, he could at least keep them aware of Maori issues and concerns. He also took part in a Maori cultural revival. He was the first secretary of the Board of Maori Ethnological Research and the Maori Purposes Fund Board, which promoted research, traditional arts and craft, and the renovation of marae and meeting houses. Henare Balneavis died in 1940 at his office in Parliament Buildings.

• See also: biography of Henare Balneavis at DNZB website