Henare Tomoana succeeded Hoani Nahi as the representative of the native race in the Cabinet. He sat in the Hall Ministry without portfolio, being a member of the Executive Council, and held office for but twenty-one days in the month of October, 1879. Henare was elected for the Eastern Maori Electorate, and first sat in the early session of 1879. At the last general (1893) election he again contested the seat, but was defeated.