Artwork information

Hone Heke, MHR (Member of the House of Representatives) was a politician and leader of Northern Māori and a grandnephew of Hone Heke, chief of the Nga Puhi people of Northland. Heke entered politics in his early twenties and is remembered for introducing the Native Rights Bill into Parliament. The bill sought protection for Māori land under the Treaty of Waitangi. Such rights are still argued in parliament today. In letters between Heke and arts patron, Henry Partridge, Heke advises the many meanings of the phrase ‘kia ora’ and explains some of the wider usage of the words which were acceptable to Māori. These include (1) long life (2) good health, happiness and prosperity and (3) kind greetings.