IN MAORIS' INTERESTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 269, 13 November 1935, Page 16

IN MAORIS' INTERESTS.

FIRST WOMAN CANDIDATE,

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WHANGAREI, this day. The first woman ever to seek the vote of Maori people is Rehutai Maihi (Mrs. Gilberd), of Utukura. She has to overcome the aversion of the older Maoris, who do not believe in women going into politics and taking chieftains' positions. I- some centres she would not have been permitted to speak had it not been for her high lineage, which carries her back to the leaders of the Ngapuhi people. Before her marriage, in 1933, Rehutai Maihi was widely known throughout the North as Nell Nathan. She was born at Whakapara, and learnt- the typographical trade in Whangarei, and later at Kaitaia. While Mr. Allen Bell was in Parliament she acted on several occasions as,, editor of "The Northlander." Later she was attached to the "Whangarei Mirror," and commenced the publication of a newspaper iiy Maori on her own account. She k a goc 1 golfer, tennis player and vocalist. She has announced herself as an outright Labour' supporter.