Te Puea Hèrangi was born at Whatiwhatihoe in the Waikato, a grand-daughter of the second Màori king, Tàwhiao, and was educated in Màori beliefs, values, and culture. She was left motherless at fifteen and her imperious, headstrong nature led her away from her home. In 1911, however, she responded to Tàwhiao’s call to duty, and had her first taste of politics in an election campaign. Her leadership in the Kìngitanga movement thus became established, and she became determined to create a centre for the movement. She began farming at Mangatàwhiri and, opposed to the introduction of conscription in 1917, opened her farm as a refuge for those who chose not to enlist. She recognised the importance of making the best possible use of Waikato land in order to rebuild both the mana and economic strength of her people, and her skills in organisation and her own hard physical work earned widespread respect. After the devastating influenza epidemic of 1918, she gathered up 100 orphaned children and founded the community at Ngàruawahia now known as Tùrangawaewae. Hard physical work of draining and enriching the land was coupled with fund-raising for the centre, which flourished and became the vital heart for the Waikato people.

Over many years Te Puea Hèrangi played a leading role in negotiating settlements for the confiscation of Waikato land, and achieved a measure of financial compensation which enabled her people to pursue economic and educational goals. She had grown up with poignant memories of the effects of war and land confiscation in the 1860s, but was committed to overcoming the alienation of her people. She worked closely with the Pàkehà world to achieve true partnership, and her energy, creativity, discipline, and vision made her a distinguished leader.