Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke Parents, Ethnicity, Husband, Age, Height, Net Worth, Biography & More
Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke is not your typical politician. She is the youngest MP in New Zealand in 170 years, and the first to represent the Maori Party in the Hauraki-Waikato electorate.
She is also a published author, a community gardener, and a passionate advocate for Maori rights and culture. In this article, we will explore her life story, her political views, and her achievements so far.
Early Life and Education
Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke was born in September 2002, making her 21 years old as of January 2024. She has ancestry in four Maori Ethnicity tribes: Ngapuhi, Ngati Porou, Te Ati Awa, and Ngai Tahu. She also has a rich political heritage: her great-great-great-great-grandfather, Wi Katene, was the first Maori MP to be appointed to the Executive Council in 1872; her aunt, Hana Te Hemara, was responsible for delivering the Maori language petition to parliament in 1972 that paved the way for its widespread adoption in New Zealand; and her grandfather, Taitimu Maipi, was an activist who contributed to the removal of the Captain Hamilton statue in 2020.
Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke received her education at Te Wharekura o Rakaumangamanga, a Maori immersion school in Huntly, a town some 53 miles southeast of Auckland. She excelled in academics, sports, and cultural activities, and was a leader among her peers.
She also developed a keen interest in maramataka, the Maori lunar calendar, which she learned from her grandmother and from the renowned astronomer Rangi Matamua. At the age of 17, she published a book called Maahina, which explains how to use the maramataka for physical and mental healing. She also gave a training course to the New Zealand Warriors, a rugby league team, about maramataka and Matariki, the Maori new year.
Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke BIO/WIKI
| Name | Hana-Rawhiti Kareariki Maipi-Clarke |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | September 2002 |
| Age | 21 years |
| Place of birth | Huntly, New Zealand |
| Residence | Hamilton, New Zealand |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Education | Te Wharekura o Rakaumangamanga |
| Occupation | Politician, author, gardener, trainer |
| Political party | Te Pāti Māori |
| Electorate | Hauraki-Waikato |
| Date elected | 14 October 2023 |
| Margin of victory | 2,911 votes |
| Previous occupation | Author, gardener, trainer |
| Parents | Potaka Maipi and Kareariki Clarke |
| Family | Grand-niece of Hana Te Hemara, granddaughter of Taitimu Maipi, great-great-great-great-granddaughter of Wi Katene. |
| Husband | Rangihau Rawhiti |
| Son | Te Rangihau Junior |
| Interests | Maramataka, Matariki, gardening, cooking, reading, faith |
| Awards | New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults, Te Kura Pounamu Award for Maahina (2022) |
| @hana_rawhiti | |
| @hanarawhiti.maipi |
Political Career and Views
Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke’s political journey began in September 2022, when she gave a speech on the steps of Parliament House during Te Wiki o te Reo Maori, the Maori Language Week. She spoke about the importance of preserving and promoting the Maori language and culture, and challenged the government to do more for the Maori people. Her speech caught the attention of several political parties, who approached her to join them. She chose to join the Maori Party, which advocates for the rights and interests of the indigenous communities in New Zealand.
In the 2023 general election, held on October 14, she contested the Hauraki-Waikato electorate, which had been held by Nanaia Mahuta, a veteran Labour MP and the former foreign minister, since 1999. Despite being a newcomer and facing a formidable opponent, she managed to unseat Mahuta by a margin of 2,911 votes, becoming the youngest MP in New Zealand since James Stuart-Wortley, who was elected in 1853 at the age of 20. She also became the first Maori Party MP to represent the Hauraki-Waikato electorate, which has a large Maori population.
During her campaign, she faced several challenges and threats, including alleged home invasions by a man who shouted slurs and was later identified as a National Party campaigner. She also had to deal with the negative perception of the Maori Party, which had lost all its seats in the previous election and was seen as irrelevant by some. She overcame these obstacles by engaging with the voters, especially the youth, and by highlighting the issues that mattered to them, such as health, education, housing, and environment.
In her maiden speech in December 2023, she criticized the National-led coalition government, which had formed after the election, for its policies that she claimed had “attacked my whole world from every corner.” She also expressed her pride in being Maori and her commitment to serving her people. She performed a traditional Maori haka, a ceremonial dance, at the end of her speech, which went viral on the internet and earned her praise from around the world.
Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke’s political views are aligned with the Maori Party’s vision of “tino rangatiratanga,” which means self-determination and sovereignty for the Maori people. She supports the establishment of a Maori Health Authority, which the National Party plans to abolish, and the creation of a separate Maori Parliament, which the ACT Party opposes. She also advocates for the protection of the environment, the recognition of the Treaty of Waitangi, the official status of the Maori language, and the empowerment of the Maori women and youth.
Family, Father & Mother
Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke is the daughter of Potaka Maipi, a broadcaster and former rugby player, and Kareariki Clarke, a teacher and a former netball player. She has two younger siblings, Te Aroha and Te Rangimarie.
Height, Weight & Physical Stats
| Height (ft+in) | Weight (lbs) | Physical Appearance |
|---|---|---|
| 5’ 5″ (165 cm) | 128 lbs (58 Kg) | Short black hair, brown eyes, fair complexion, slim build |
Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke Spouse, Boyfriend & Personal Life
She is married to Te Rangihau Rawhiti, a musician and a former rugby player, whom she met at school. They have a son, Te Rangihau Junior, who was born in 2021.
Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke is a devout Christian and a member of the Destiny Church, a Pentecostal movement that has been controversial for its conservative views on social issues. She credits her faith for giving her strength and guidance in her life.
She is also a keen gardener and runs a community garden in Huntly, where she grows organic vegetables and herbs. She enjoys cooking, reading, and spending time with her family and friends.
Net Worth
| Year | Estimated Net Worth (NZD) | Sources of Income |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $50,000 | Book royalties, gardening, training |
| 2022 | $60,000 | Book royalties, gardening, training, speaking engagements |
| 2023 | $200,000 | Book royalties, gardening, training, speaking engagements, MP salary |
Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke is a remarkable young woman who has made history in New Zealand’s politics. She is a role model for the Maori people and the youth, and a voice for the marginalized and the oppressed. She is also a talented writer, a dedicated mother, and a passionate activist. She has a bright future ahead of her, and she is determined to make a positive difference in her country and the world.
