Eparaima Te Mutu Kapa

Eparaima Te Mutu Kapa (1842–1925) was a 19th-century Māori member of the New Zealand parliament.

Political career

Parliament of New Zealand
Years	Term	Electorate		Party
1891–1893	11th	Northern Maori		Independent

Kapa, who was from the Aupōuri iwi in Northland, contested and won the 1891 by-election for the seat of Northern Maori. His predecessor, Sydney Taiwhanga, was elected for his second term in the 1890 general election, but died before the election results were announced.^[1]

As a member of the 11th New Zealand Parliament, Kapa spoke out in support of women's enfranchisement. He was also a member of the Māori Parliament, and reported to them the proceedings of the New Zealand Parliament.^[2]

Kapa contested the seat in the 1893 general election. Despite receiving significant support from women voters (who received voting rights that year),^[3] he was defeated by Hone Heke Ngapua. Ngapua also defeated Kapa for the seat in the 1896^[4] and 1899 elections.^[5]

Family

Kapa was an uncle to the Te Aupōuri and Waikato leader Mutu Paratene Kapa.^[6]

References

1. Orange, Claudia (1 September 2010), "Taiwhanga, Hirini Rawiri", Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, retrieved 6 January 2011
2. Māori Women and the Vote: Debates in the New Zealand Parliament. Ministry of Women's Affairs. Retrieved 6 January 2011.
3. Māori Women and the Vote: Electoral Rolls. Ministry of Women's Affairs. Retrieved 6 January 2011.
4. "Untitled". Poverty Bay Herald. XXIII (7810). 24 December 1896. p. 2. Retrieved 17 January 2014.
5. "The General Election, 1899". Wellington: Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives. 19 June 1900. p. 3. Retrieved 13 March 2014.
6. Henare, Manuka (1 September 2010). "Kapa, Mutu Paratene – Biography". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Retrieved 10 January 2011.