Our Stories - Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu
Close

Our Stories

Aukaha: Xoë Hall

Kāi Tahu artist Xoë Hall has radically transformed the white gallery walls and created a beautiful, vibrant retelling of our creation story. Stunning, large-scale and brightly coloured murals of atua are floor to ceiling, as well as nods to Hine-nui-te-pō, Mahuika and Māui. Pounamu adorns the walls throughout.

Read More

Review: The Deep South

The Deep South is a truly stunning exploration of Te Waipounamu, the Southern Isles and Antarctica. Andris Apse, an award-winning photographer, takes readers on a journey starting with the more familiar landscapes of Waitaha, Murihiku and Westland, showcasing alpine vistas, valleys and coastlines of the mainland.

Read More

He Tangata Moana-o-Hinerangi

I was born in Te Tai Rāwhiti amongst my northern Taurima whānau, but raised amongst my southern Rehu/Te Au whānau in Murihiku, so have only known the Ngāi Tahu way.

Read More

Ngāi Tahu Lawyer Empowered by Puna Pakihi

Kingi Snelgar, a Ngāi Tahu lawyer, Harvard graduate, and Fulbright scholar, attributes the beginning of his own practice to the transformative impact of the Ngāi Tahu Puna Pakihi whānau business support programme. Kingi Snelgar (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whakaue, Te Whakatōhea and Ngāi Tahu) began his career at a prominent law firm in Auckland. In 2015, he…

Read More

A few words from an intern

By Abby Hamilton In 2022, I was a Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Science student at Lincoln University, studying Tourism Management. I was offered an internship through Ngāi Tahu Tourism at Shotover Jet in Queenstown for the summer. It was a pleasure to work in an environment where cultural values underpin all aspects of the day-to-day…

Read More

Watershed moment: From misunderstanding to transformation

Te Rūnaka o Arowhenua and Timaru District Council have transformed the way in which they collaborate on stormwater management. So good has the collaboration become that the Rūnaka, the council and their representatives have received national recognition. Among those recognised is Aoraki Environmental Consultancy (AEC), which provides environmental planning and policy advice on behalf of…

Read More

Waitaki Whitestone of ‘global geological significance’

The only UNESCO Global Geopark in Australasia wouldn’t have become so without mana whenua. UNESCO Geoparks are areas of global geological significance, managed with a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development. There are 177 such parks in 46 countries. Waitaki Whitestone spans more than 7000km2 stretching from the east coast of the South…

Read More

Murihiku Marae reopening a proud moment for Waihōpai Rūnaka

Murihiku Marae reopened its doors on the 2nd of June following an extensive redevelopment project that shows commitment to environmental sustainability and community wellbeing. The completion of this multi-million dollar development, incorporating a triple net-zero approach—targeting water, energy, and carbon neutrality—marks a proud milestone for Waihōpai Rūnaka. Over the course of just 12 months, the…

Read More

Megan Pōtiki takes leadership role at Te Pūkenga

Kāi Tahu academic Megan Pōtiki has been appointed regional co-lead for Te Pūkenga’s Region 4, which spans the Kāi Tahu takiwā. Te Pūkenga is the new education provider, which merged 16 Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics and 11 transitional industry training organisations. It is required to operate in a way that allows it to develop…

Read More