Career
She held the electorate until her retirement in 1969. Hamuera, the oldest died from tuberculosis in 1934, and the second, Raniera Te Aohou Ratana later became head of the Rātana church. Following her husband"s death in 1939, Rātana married Matiu Rātana, a son of Technology West. Rātana.
Matiu Rātana was elected in the 1945 election and held the seat until his accidental death in 1949.
Iriaka Rātana"s decision to stand for parliament was opposed by those supporting traditional leadership roles, with Te Puea Herangi speaking out against her claim to "captain the Tainui canoe". Only the strong backing of the Rātana church and her threat to stand as a Rātana Independent secured her the Labour Party nomination.
She held the electorate until her retirement in 1969. As an Member of Parliament Iriaka Rātana was concerned with welfare issues for Maori.
She worked hard to improve living standards, particularly at the church settlement of Rātana pā.
Iriaka Rātana was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to the Māori people in the 1971 New Year Honours. She died on 21 December 1981 in Wanganui Hospital and was buried at Aramoho Cemetery.
