In Parliament.

It was in grateful recognition of this great self-sacrificing work for the native people that the Ngapuhi and their allied tribes invited Te Rangihiroa to become their representative in Parliament. This was after the death of the popular Hone Heke, who for many years had been member for the Northern Maori district. So the Doctor turned politician, and more than mere politician; he developed a statesmanlike outlook which embraced a wider range than New Zealand, in his concern for the well-being of the ancient race. Besides representing the Maori people, he had under his care as Minister the Cook Islands and other Polynesian isles over which New Zealand's flag had been raised.

Then, after six years of politics, came the Great War, and Te Rangihiroa was one of the first to offer his services to the country and his race, when the Government yielded to the enthusiastic desire of the tribes to meet Britain's foes in battle overseas. He left with the First Maori Contingent for Egypt in February, 1915, and it was four years before he saw the shores of New Zealand again.