$50 NZD Polymer note

Sir Apirana Ngata

Sir Apirana Ngata (1874 – 1950) played a significant role in the revival of Māori people and culture during the early years of the twentieth century. He was the first Māori to graduate from a New Zealand university, and an elected Member of Parliament for 38 years

Porourangi Meeting House

Porourangi Meeting House was first built in 1888, designed by Major Rōpata Wahawaha.

The meeting house is significant for the Ngata family. It stands alongside the original Ngata family home and Waiomatatini Marae, near Ruatōria, and is a showcase for Māori art.

Tukutuku panel “Poutama”

This Tukutuku pattern is known as Poutama and means stairway to heaven. It is a feature in the Porourangi meeting house.

Ko Poutama te ingoa o tēnei tukutuku, arā, ko te pikinga ki ngā rangi. He tauira tēnei i roto i te wharenui o Porourangi.

$50 NZD

The Alexander Turnbull Library licensed the use of the Sir Apirana Ngata portrait.

The Porourangi meeting house image was supplied by Heni Tawhiwhirangi.

Kōkako

The Kōkako or blue wattled crow (Callaeas wilsoni) is a large native bird with a distinctive bluish-grey body with a black face ‘mask’ and sky blue wattles. The variety on the note is the North Island kokako.

Pureora Forest Park

Pureora Forest Park, located in the central North Island, stretches for 78,000 hectares. It is one of the most ecologically significant forests in New Zealand and is home to a large population of Kōkako.

Sky-blue mushroom

The sky-blue mushroom (Entoloma hochstetteri) grows throughout New Zealand. It is notable for its bright blue colour which fades with age.