Manuel José (trader)

Manuel José (died 1873) was a New Zealand trader and founding father. A Spaniard from Valverde del Majano in Segovia, he lived much of his life as a trader in New Zealand among the Māori people. He retired to Tikapa on the Waiapu River.

He was married to five Ngāti Porou women, and has thousands of living descendants.

The 2014 play "Paniora" by Briar Grace-Smith was inspired by his legacy.

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