Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu

Ngāi Tahu 2025

Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei – for us and our children after us.

The design of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu embraces our cultural traditions. It incorporates the best corporate governance models we could find in the world and draws from the democratic structures of local government and Western best practice. Te Rūnanga board members are appointed following a democratic process and are responsible for the governance of tribal assets and investments in tribal development.

The initial asset base of Te Rūnanga was largely derived from the assets of the Ngāi Tahu Māori Trust Board and from the settlement of Te Kerēme – The Ngāi Tahu Claim (claims against the Crown for various breaches of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Since the time of settlement the asset base has grown and Te Rūnanga has made distributions and invested over $254m in iwi development, much of that being direct to our Papatipu Rūnanga and iwi members through Whai Rawa - matched savings programme as well as through education scholarships and grants.
Ultimately, Ngāi Tahu invest to create the future we want for our tamariki (children) and mokopuna (grandchildren).

Our kaimahi (staff) work through these pou, which are decided by the Governance Team.

Ngāi Tahutanga - Culture & Identity Oranga - Health & Wellbeing Mātauranga - Knowledge Papatipu Rūnanga Haea te Awa - Regional Investment Fund Te Kura Taka Pini - Freshwater Strategy & Environment

Ngāi Tahu Iwi Members

80K+

Whai Rawa Members

34.6K

Ngāi Tahu Whānau Employed

47%

Ngāi Tahu Farming

While on the surface our farms may appear like others, there are significant differences. There is a high level of input from both cultural and technical advisors.

Ngāi Tahu Property

For generations the land has shaped the culture and identity of Ngāi Tahu.

Ngāi Tahu Seafood

Ngāi Tahu has always been active in fishing.

Ngāi Tahu Tourism

Manaakitanga (hospitality) is one of the core values which drives Ngāi Tahu Tourism and its way of doing business.

Ngāi Tahu Holdings

Ngāi Tahu Holdings is an intergenerational New Zealand-focused investor.

Ngāi Tahu Investments

Centuries ago, Ngāi Tahu moved southward from their homes in Te Ika a Māui (the North Island) to forge a new life in Te Waipounamu (the South Island).

Whanaungatanga

We will respect, foster and maintain important relationships within the organisation, our iwi and the community.

Looking after our people

Manaakitanga

We will pay respect to each other, to iwi members and to all others.

Expertise

Tohungatanga

We will pursue knowledge and ideas that will strengthen and grow Ngāi Tahu and our community.

Stewardship

Kaitiakitanga

We will work to protect the people, environment, knowledge, culture, language and resources important to Ngāi Tahu for future generations.

Appropriate Action

Tikanga

We will strive to ensure that the tikanga of Ngāi Tahu is actioned and acknowledged in all of our outcomes.

Leadership

Rangatiratanga

We will strive to maintain a high degree of personal integrity and ethical behaviour in all actions and decisions we make.

Our People

Governance is about having systems and processes in place to safeguard and grow our assets and enable the aspirations of future generations of whānau. The Senior Executive Leadership Team creates and implements strategies to achieve these goals.

Learn more about our Governance and Senior Executive Leadership Team and the roles they play within Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu.

Learn More

Protection

Te Whakaāhurutanga

Respond to Ngāi Tahu whānui who are at risk and have immediate wellbeing needs.

Establishment

Te Whakapūmautanga

Leverage Crown relationships and hold the Crown to account for its Te Tiriti and Ngāi Tahu Settlement obligations.