Born on February 25, 1905, in Whangaehu, New Zealand.
Iriaka Matiu Rātana was born on February 25, 1905, in the rural village of Whangaehu in the Manawatū-Whanganui region of New Zealand. This early environment, rich in Māori cultural practices and traditions, imbued her with a lifelong commitment to her people's welfare. Her birth signifies the dawn of a life dedicated to bridging cultural divides and advocating for Māori rights, shaping New Zealand's social and political fabric in the mid-20th century.