Regional Rūnanga Development

The Vision:
Our dream is that our Papatipu Rūnanga (marae communities) remain the beating hearts of our tribal identity. Our goal is that Papatipu Rūnanga are economically strong and culturally vibrant.

Papatipu Rūnanga are the home of Ngāi Tahu identity and the seat of our traditions. Located predominantly in our traditional settlements, Papatipu Rūnanga are coastal and often rural. The vitality of our marae communities is often reliant on there being sufficient opportunities and infrastructure for whānau to be able to live close to the marae. Te Rūnanga has adopted a holistic approach to regional and rūnanga development, with a particular focus on re-developing customary industries, including pounamu, mahinga kai and traditional craft.

Te Rūnanga has adopted a holistic approach to regional and rūnanga development, with a particular focus on re-developing customary industries, including pounamu, mahinga kai and traditional craft.

Te Rūnanga contributes a range of tools and resources to the aspirations of ngā Papatipu Rūnanga, including:

Natural resources
providing access to pounamu and eels.
Financial capital
providing financial endowments to regional rūnanga to encourage financial investment and independence.
Human capital
providing skills, knowledge and expertise in the management of resources.
Institutions of governance
assisting to build the structures of local tribal government that match cultural norms and ensure a stable environment for investment and social development.

Regional development also encompasses education – incorporating Ngāi Tahu identity, language and culture into public institutions such as schools and Early Childhood Centres. Rūnanga are also the vehicles for tribal development, by helping put in place robust governance and management institutions we create stability for investment, social development and the management of resources.