The Western Maori electorate extended from South Auckland and the Waikato to Taranaki and the Manawatu.
The electorate included the following tribal areas: Tainui, Taranaki The first member of parliament for Western Maori from 1868 was Mete Kīngi Paetahi.
His wife Iriaka Rātana stood in his stead, despite significant opposition from those supporting traditional leadership roles, with Te Puea Herangi speaking out against her claim to "captain the Tainui canoe".
[6] Candidates for the National Party (who usually came second) included Hoeroa Marumaru (1946, 1949 & 1951) and Pei Te Hurinui Jones (1957, 1960 and 1963; also earlier).
Western Maori was represented by 15 Members of Parliament:[7] Key Independent Reform Ratana Labour Note that the affiliation of many early candidates is not known.
Three newspapers, The Marlborough Express, The New Zealand Herald, and the Auckland Star reported political affiliations.