Koata
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
From the Maori language and literally meaning a quarter, it is applied to each of the four New Zealand Maori seats and the Ratana movement Members of Parliament who held them.
In January 1928, Tahupotiki Wiremu Ratana called himself Piri Wiri Tua or the campaigner and called on four followers to be the quarters of his body and rule the land. The 'first cut' was Paraire Karaka Paikea in the North, Haami Tokouru Ratana in the West, Pita Moko in the East, and Eruera Tirikatene in the South with Pita Moko being replaced later by Tiaki Omana in the 'second cut'. The covenant signed by the men promised they would not rest, and their wives separately agreed that they may go barefoot and in rags, in order to represent the Ratana movement.
All four went on to capture the Maori seats between 1932 and 1943.
