Ernest Corbett
Encyclopedia
Ernest Bowyer Corbett (1898–1968) was a New Zealand National Party
politician.
He held the Egmont
seat from 1943 to 1957. He was Minister of Māori Affairs
, Minister of Lands and Minister of Forests in the First National Government
. As Māori Affairs Minister he worked closely with Māori statesman Apirana Ngata
, and spent much of his time implementing "Ngata’s policies".
In April 2010 it was alleged by Muru Walters that in 1956 Corbett told the Māori All Blacks
to deliberately lose to the Springboks
"for the future of rugby" however several other players in the team contradict Walters accusation and state Corbett never asked them to deliberately throw the game. The Māori team lost 37–0. This was followed by Walters calling for the government to apologise for the way it treated Māori rugby players.
Corbett fell ill and retired shortly before his government's defeat in 1957. He died on 15 June 1968.
New Zealand National Party
The New Zealand National Party is the largest party in the New Zealand House of Representatives and in November 2008 formed a minority government with support from three minor parties.-Policies:...
politician.
He held the Egmont
Egmont (New Zealand electorate)
Egmont is a former New Zealand electorate, in south Taranaki. It existed from 1871 to 1978.-Geographic coverage:Egmont is the old name of the mountain that is the Taranaki landmark of Mount Taranaki. A village north of the mountain is also called Egmont....
seat from 1943 to 1957. He was Minister of Māori Affairs
Minister of Maori Affairs
The Minister of Māori Affairs is the minister of the New Zealand government with broad responsibility for government policy towards Māori, the first inhabitants of New Zealand. The current Minister of Māori Affairs is Dr. Pita Sharples.-Role:...
, Minister of Lands and Minister of Forests in the First National Government
First National Government of New Zealand
The First National Government of New Zealand was the government of New Zealand from 1949 to 1957. It was a conservative government best remembered for its role in the 1951 waterfront dispute. It also began the repositioning of New Zealand in the cold war environment...
. As Māori Affairs Minister he worked closely with Māori statesman Apirana Ngata
Apirana Ngata
Sir Apirana Turupa Ngata was a prominent New Zealand politician and lawyer. He has often been described as the foremost Māori politician to have ever served in Parliament, and is also known for his work in promoting and protecting Māori culture and language.-Early life:One of 15 children, Ngata...
, and spent much of his time implementing "Ngata’s policies".
In April 2010 it was alleged by Muru Walters that in 1956 Corbett told the Māori All Blacks
New Zealand Maori rugby union team
New Zealand Māori is a rugby union team that traditionally plays teams touring New Zealand. A prerequisite for playing in this team is that the player is to have Māori whakapapa or genealogy. In the past this rule was not strictly applied. In the past non-Māori players who looked Māori were often...
to deliberately lose to the Springboks
South Africa national rugby union team
The South African national rugby union team are 2009 British and Irish Lions Series winners. They are currently ranked as the fourth best team in the IRB World Rankings and were named 2008 World Team of the Year at the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards.Although South Africa was instrumental...
"for the future of rugby" however several other players in the team contradict Walters accusation and state Corbett never asked them to deliberately throw the game. The Māori team lost 37–0. This was followed by Walters calling for the government to apologise for the way it treated Māori rugby players.
Corbett fell ill and retired shortly before his government's defeat in 1957. He died on 15 June 1968.