About
Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua (the Rūnanga) is the sole representative body and authorised voice to deal with issues affecting the whole of Ngāti Whātua. This authority was given by the tribe at a hui-a-iwi held at the Otamatea marae on Saturday 20th February 1993.
Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua was constituted by Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua Act 1988 and is a Maori Trust Board under the Maori Trust Boards Act 1955.
It is also a Mandated Iwi Organisation and Iwi Aquaculture Organisation for the purposes of the Maori Fisheries Act 2004.
The three sacred obligations incumbent upon Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua to achieve wellness for Ngāti Whātua are;
- Mana Ngāti Whātua - a sacred obligation to uphold the MANA of Ngāti Whātua
- Manaakitanga - a sacred obligation to CARE for people
- Kaitiakitanga - a sacred obligation to PROTECT Papatuanuku
In keeping with these, the Rūnanga is committed to the provision of health, social, educational and environmental services and activities.
The Rūnanga is structured into five takiwa:
- Orākei
- South Kaipara
- Otamatea
- Whangarei
- Northern Wairoa
Representation from all takiwa on the Rūnanga board is afforded according to a marae ward system based on the numerical presence of a marae.
The Ngāti Whātua marae represented by the Rūnanga are;
- Orākei - Orākei
- South Kaipara - Haranui, Puatahi, Reweti, Te Aroha Pa, Te Kia Ora
- Otamatea - Omaha, Oruawharo, Otamatea, Otuhianga, Pouto, Parirau, Nga Tai Whakarongorua, Rawhitiroa, Te Kowhai, Te Pounga, Te Whetu Marama, Waihaua, Waiohau, Waiotea
- Whangarei - Korokota, Takahiwai, Toetoe, Tirarau
- Northern Wairoa - Naumai, Kapehu, Ripia, Oturei, Te Houhanga, Taita, Ahikiwi, Waikaraka, Tama Te Uaua, Waikara, Pahinui
The Rūnanga is also a member of the Taitokerau Iwi CE Consortium and is involved in a number of successful co-production projects with government agencies including Mana Hapai, a campaign to rediscover, recover and protect the cultural heritage (mua) of Ngāti Whātua and developing strategies for this revival alongside the reigniting of toi, Ngāti Whātua arts, and leadership.
