Background
Poata was born on the East Coast of New Zealand"s North Island.
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Tama Poata
Edit ProfileEducation
He was educated at Tokomaru Bay High School.
Career
He was from the Māori tribe of Ngāti Porou. He was also known as "Tom," the transliteration of "Tama." He lived in Wellington during the 1960s where he worked for the Drivers Union. Poata was a founding member and the secretary of the Māori Organisation on (MOOHR) which took part in protests for Māori rights and also opposed New Zealand"s involvement in the Vietnam War.
He was instrumental in organising the historic 1975 Land March to the New Zealand Parliament in Wellington, voicing Māori indigenous land rights and protection of their culture.
He was also active in the anti-apartheid movement in New Zealand against South Africa and is credited with having coined the name Halt All Racist Tours (HART) the organisation which led and mobilised anti-apartheid protests trying to stop the South African rugby union team touring in New Zealand.
Achievements
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Born
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Died
November 9, 2005 (aged 69) -
Nationality
New Zealand