Career
He was the Minister of Lands and Minister of Māori Affairs in the Third Labour Government of New Zealand between 1972 and 1975. He was the architect of both the Māori Affairs Amendment Acting of 1974, which gave Māori greater control over their land, and the 1975 creation of the Waitangi Tribunal. In 1979 he resigned from the Labour Party.
He was defeated by Bruce Gregory, coming second with 991 fewer votes than Gregory.
Following his exit from Parliament Matiu Rata was the leader of the Muriwhenua in presenting their Treaty of Waitangi claims to the Waitangi Tribunal, resulting in a settlement of Māori fishing claims for the tribes of the Far North. Rata"s widow, Nellie Rata, stood for ACT in Te Tai Tokerau at the 1999 general election, having been unsuccessful in securing the Alliance nomination.
She received 280 votes, to finish in seventh place in the 13-candidate race.