Koroki Te Rata Mahuta Tawhiao Potatau Te Wherowhero

Koroki Te Rata Mahuta Tawhiao Potatau Te Wherowhero (1908/9?–1966) was the eldest son of Te Rata, the fourth Maori King. When his father died in 1933 he did not want to become King. He felt he was not fit for the task, and because his people were so poor he doubted whether they could support a king. At Te Rata's tangihanga (funeral), however, all the visiting chiefs agreed that the kingship should continue, and that Koroki should be king.

Throughout his reign he struggled to maintain the dignity of the Kingitanga and obtain recognition. Many of the younger Maori leaders, including Apirana Ngata, thought his claim to kingship was pretentious. They rejected anything that did not support the sovereignty of Parliament. King Koroki's status was sometimes acknowledged by the government, and sometimes not.

In 1939 the government refused to exempt him from registering under the social security regulations. The Waikato tribes saw this as disrespect, and refused to attend the Treaty centennial celebrations in 1940.

Attempts to settle the Waikato confiscation claims formed another theme of Koroki's kingship. However, when it was achieved the settlement did not include a statutory recognition of King Koroki's position. From the late 1950s his health deteriorated, and he left public life. He died at Ngaruawahia in 1966.

See also: biography of King Koroki at DNZB website