Annually, up to $1m is made available to directly fund Ngāi Tahu whānau to learn and share in cultural practices, whakapapa and te reo. Te Rūnanga has committed $1m each year to the Marae Development Fund to assist with large capital works projects and smaller maintenance related activities on Ngāi Tahu Papatipu Marae.

Te Rūnanga has also developed the Ngāi Tahu Cultural Strategy, Manawa Whenua, Manawa Reo, Manawa Kāi Tahu (Our World, Our Word, Our Way). It sets out a pathway to create successive generations of strong, vibrant champions of our culture. It guides our cultural investment and focus and prioritises five outcome areas; leadership; resources; growth of practices through intergenerational ownership; engagement, value, celebration, protection and authenticity and lastly supporting new forms of cultural expression.

There are many challenges facing the health of our culture, but as an iwi we are well placed to ensure there will be long term gains to create a vibrant, healthy, prosperous Ngāi Tahu culture, for our children and their children after them.