About Us
Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua
Nau mai, haere mai ki Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua
Established under the Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua Act 1988, we proudly serve as the central representative for ngā uri o Ngāti Whātua.
Our kaupapa is to advocate for our iwi, champion social and cultural initiatives, and carefully manage the assets within our rohe to ensure a thriving future for our people.
Core principles guide the Rūnanga:
Kōtahitanga (unity),
Mātauranga ki ngā tikanga me ngā kawenata hei tangata whenua (cultural knowledge and responsibilities as tangata whenua),
Whanaketanga whaiaro me te whanaketanga ā-rōpū (personal and collective development),
Tautoko whānau (supporting whānau), and
He whakahaeretanga pai (effective governance).
The Rūnanga envisions a resilient, thriving iwi grounded in aroha.
The iwi encompasses numerous hapū and confederated groups, as listed in the 2008 Deed of Mandate, including groups that also have tātai links to Ngāti Whātua.
These hapū uphold their ancestral connections to Ngāti Whātua, reflecting the iwi's rich heritage and collective identity.
The Rūnanga is governed by a Board of Trustees comprising 11 elected representatives from five takiwā:
Ōrākei
South Kaipara
Whangārei
Northern Wairoa, and
Ōtamatea.
Trustees are elected every three years by registered members.
Te rohe o Ngāti Whātua includes 33 affiliated marae including Ōrākei, Haranui, Reweti, Puatahi, Araparera (Te Aroha Pā), Te Kia Ora, Korokota, Takahiwai, Tirarau, Toetoe, Ahikiwi, Kāpehu, Naumai, Ōtūrei, Pananawe, Rīpia, Taitā, Tama Te Uaua, Te Houhanga, Ngā Tai Whakarongorua, Ōmaha, Ōruawharo, Ōtamatea, Ōtuhianga, Parirau, Waikaretū (Poutō), Rāwhitiroa, Te Kōwhai, Te Pounga, Waiohau, Arapaoa (Waihaua), and Waiotea.
With oversight of 33 marae, it strengthens connections to tūrangawaewae and collaborates with iwi, hapū, and government agencies to ensure the well-being of its people.
Through its leadership, the Rūnanga safeguards Ngāti Whātua heritage, ensuring our iwi identity, aspirations, and well-being are preserved and nurtured for future generations.
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Manaakitanga
To support the uri of Ngāti Whātua, the Rūnanga has focused on their health and wellbeing within the rohe. Our iwi health provider, Te Hā Oranga, continues to improve services for our communities.
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Kaitiakitanga
To safeguard Ngāti Whātua land, air, and sea, Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua upholds its obligation to care for the lands and waters to which they whakapapa, ensuring the resources vital to uri are protected.
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Mana Ngāti Whātua
The Rūnanga enhances the mana of Ngāti Whātua through tino rangatiratanga and marae development, supporting cultural initiatives to uphold our iwi identity and heritage for future generations.
Our Strategic Pou
Whakapakari ki te hua o te kawariki
The Rūnanga strategies are a guiding principle that has pioneered the development of a series of strategies we are collectively calling
“Ngāti Whātua Heru Hāpai” - Grow forth and never give in
Represent a unified voice and presence for our people and support the self-determination of marae and hapū.
Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua stands as an influential representative body and a trusted voice for the uri. It is relied on by whānau, marae and hapū to advocate effectively for their collective interests. Marae and hapū are self-determined, empowered and strong.
We focus our representation and engagement on those critical partners and collaborators who will advance the strategic interests of uri and hapū.
We support and empower marae and hapū so their voices are strong and effective.
We use the aligned priority investment areas across marae and hapū to bring collective weight to our shared priorities and concerns.
We communicate effectively with our people so they are engaged with our decision-making and priority-setting.
Support marae and hapū to thrive across social, cultural, environmental, and economic realms.
Ngāti Whātua uri, marae and hapū are empowered, connected, flourishing and can meet their strategic priorities.
Through direct engagement and connection with hapū and marae we understand their priorities and aspirations and are drawing targeted resources towards them.
We guide the strategic focus of our subsidiary entities, including Te Hā Oranga and the Commercial Board, to contribute to the priorities of uri, marae and hapū.
We form effective and powerful collaborations at a high level to support outcomes for our marae and hapū.
We use our reach and influence to develop future leadership opportunities for our rangatahi.
Uphold and grow the unique identity and cultural excellence of Ngāti Whātua.
Ngāti Whātua uri are proud of their identity and committed to preserving and advancing their reo and cultural heritage, drawing on the strength and wisdom of their whakapapa to guide collective growth and achievement.
We identify and activate a range of Ngāti Whātua-wide opportunities to advance our reo and cultural heritage.
We select opportunities based on their likely impact, their power of celebration, their attraction for rangatahi and the priorities of hapū and marae.
We prioritise the development of new kura and kohanga reo to fill gaps within our rohe, with the knowledge that they are critical for the revitalisation of our reo and identity.
We prioritise those partnerships and collaborations that are most likely to advance our long-term outcomes to achieve cultural excellence.
We develop and safeguard taonga tuku iho and a whakapapa data base to elevate our collective and cultural integrity.
