About Ngāi Tahu
Ngāi Tahu are the iwi comprised of Ngāi Tahu whānui; that is, the collective of the individuals who descend from the five primary hapū of Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Māmoe and Waitaha, namely Kāti Kurī, Ngāti Irakehu, Kāti Huirapa, Ngāi Tūāhuriri and Ngāi Te Ruahikihiki.
Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu was established by the Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Act 1996 and services the tribe's statutory rights and ensures that the benefits of the Settlement are enjoyed by Ngāi Tahu whānui now and in the future.
Throughout the South Island there are 18 local rūnanga. An elected representative from each of rūnanga makes up Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, the governing body overseeing the tribe's activities.
The executive functions of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu are carried out by:
- Office of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu which manages administration and monitoring and delivers social and cultural programmes
- Ngāi Tahu Holdings Corporation Limited which manages commercial activities
Vision
Mō tātou,ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei
For us and our children after us
Mission
Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu works on behalf of the iwi to manage the collective assets of Ngāi Tahu whānui and to promote and ensure the interests and aspirations of Ngāi Tahu whānui. Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu will also work to ensure that these interests and aspirations are met in terms of our rights as members of New Zealand and global society aligning with our vision of Tino Rangatiratanga Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei by contributing to the following outcomes that enfold the essential components of the vision:
- Ngāi Tahu whānui are culturally enriched
- Ngāi Tahu whānui live long and live well
- Ngāi Tahu whānui lead the future