Kāti Kuri

Ngāti Kuri are the tangata whenua who have manawhenua and manamoana in the area covered by this plan. Manawhenua and manamoana are determined by whakapapa, and confer customary authority. The manawhenua and manamoana status of Ngāti Kuri comes from continuous land use and occupation of the Kaikōura area.

Takahanga Marae is the standing place for Ngāti Kuri. The marae is located on the original site of the ancient Takahanga Pā overlooking the Kaikōura township. It was developed in the 1980’s and the Wharenui (meeting house) officially opened in January 1992. The Marae has traditionally been, and continues to be, the place where Ngāti Kuri, as tangata whenua, gather to kōrero and dialogue with others.

Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura is the modern day representative of the hapū Ngāti Kuri. Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura are a Papatipu Rūnanga of Ngāi Tahu Whānui, recognised in the First Schedule of the Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Act 1996. Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu represents the tribal collective of Ngāi Tahu Whānui, and was established by the Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Act 1996 to give legal identity to the tribe.