Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu
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).
Highlights 2023
Ngāi Tahu Iwi Members
78,972
Whai Rawa Members
33.6K
Ngāi Tahu Whānau Employed
47%
Our Businesses
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.
Read moreNgāi Tahu Property
For generations the land has shaped the culture and identity of Ngāi Tahu.
Read moreNgāi Tahu Tourism
Manaakitanga (hospitality) is one of the core values which drives Ngāi Tahu Tourism and its way of doing business.
Read moreNgāi Tahu Holdings
Ngāi Tahu Holdings is an intergenerational New Zealand-focused investor.
Read moreNgāi 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).
Read moreOur 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.
Our Guiding Principles
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.
Development
Te Whakawhanaketanga
Support the capacity and capability of Papatipu Rūnaka and marae.
A New Phase
Te Whakauenukutanga
Enabling and assisting the Ngāi Tahu tribal economy to grow and prosper.
Our Stories
Feb 27, 2024
‘Devastating’: Thousands of tuna perish
Several thousand tuna (eels) have been found dead in Low Burn Stream, an offshoot of the Mataura River, near Brydone south of Gore.
Read more