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 body 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 Rūnanga is guided by 11 elected kaitiaki from five takiwā, ensuring diverse iwi voices shape its decisions. 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.
Ngāti Whātua Iwi History
Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua (the Rūnanga) is a corporate body established under the Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua Act 1988 to serve as the sole representative voice for the iwi of Ngāti Whātua. It provides social and cultural services to its uri (descendants). It manages iwi commercial assets across its rohe, traditionally described as Tāmaki ki Maunganui i te Uru and Tāmaki ki Manaia i te Rāwhiti.
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.
The Rūnanga was established to unify Ngāti Whātua under a body recognised by other iwi and government agencies.
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.
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.
Our Role
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”
To provide care and support the uri of Ngāti Whātua. The health and wellbeing of uri and others within the rohe of Ngāti Whātua has remained a key focus for the Rūnanga. Our iwi health provider Te Hā Oranga, has continued to make significant improvements to the services they provide to our communities.
MANAAKITANGA
MUA / HERITAGE
KAITIAKITANGA
Guardianship over Ngāti Whātua land, air, and sea. Kaitiaki is the ethics and practise of safeguarding and conserving the natural environment and the resources on which our uri relies on. Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua have an obligation to care for the lands and waters to which they whakapapa.
WHENUA / LAND
MANA NGĀTI WHĀTUA
URI / PEOPLE
The Rūnanga has an obligation to enhance the prestige and mana of Ngāti Whātua through tino rangatiratanga and Marae and Cultural Development.
