Ngāi Tahu are a resilient, entrepreneurial people who made Te Waipounamu their home over 800 years ago. Ngāi Tahu tīpuna were long-distance seafarers, riding the ocean currents and navigating by stars on voyaging waka from Hawaiki Nui. 

Waitaha, the first people of Te Waipounamu, journeyed on the Uruao waka and settled in Kā Pākihi Whakatekateka o Waitaha. Ngāti Māmoe and Ngāi Tahu followed. Through warfare, intermarriage and political alliances, a common allegiance to Ngāi Tahu was forged.

In the 21st century, Ngāi Tahu identity continues to evolve and adapt as it has always done. The responsibility of current generations is to honour the deeds and values of our tīpuna and to create an inheritance for future generations. Ngāi Tahu has a responsibility to be steward; to grow and use the resources we have fought to reclaim in order to achieve the culturally rich, boundless future our tīpuna dreamed we could achieve.