OUR STORY
Ko Wai Mātou
OUR TRADITIONAL HISTORY
Ngā Kōrero
Ngāti Kearoa, Ngāti Tuara are descendants of two esteemed Te Arawa women, Kearoa and Tuara. Kearoa, a rangatira, was married to Ngatoroirangi, tohunga and navigator of Te Arawa waka. Tuara, descended from Ika, also traveled on Te Arawa waka. These two lines of descent merged through the union of Te Rangiwahitu and Te Uira.
Our Arrival in Horohoro: Ngāti Kea Ngāti Tuara arrived in Horohoro over 500 years ago, led by Te Aokawhai. Later, his grandson Haukapuanui expanded the area by conquering Ngāti Kura-Haumia on Patetere lands. Ngāti Kea settled there, while Ngāti Tuara settled at Tihi-o-Tonga and Tarewa, eventually uniting as one iwi.
The Land and Resources: The bush country around Horohoro provided abundant food sources like kereru, kākā, tūī, fish, waterfowl, and various plants. This rich environment sustained the iwi for generations.
OUR TRADITIONAL LAND
Tō Mātou Whenua
Ngāti Kea Ngāti Tuara’s ancestral lands originally spanned 45-50,000 acres. This vast area stretched from the base of Horohoro maunga north to Tihi-o-Tonga, Tarewa, and across the rugged Patetere lands, extending south toward Tokoroa and east to Tikorangi. These lands encircle the Matahana basin, eventually returning to Horohoro.
Today, we retain 4,000 acres in hapū ownership, including 2,500 acres for farming and forestry. We’ve set aside 586 hectares on Horohoro maunga as a bush reserve.
Ngāti Kea Ngāti Tuara is also working through the Te Pumautanga o Te Arawa to regain more of our traditional lands through a Treaty of Waitangi settlement.
Our Organisations
Our Rūnanga
Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Kearoa Ngāti Tuara was founded in 2007. Our Rūnanga administers the iwi’s Treaty settlement assets for the benefit of our people. Our vision is to revive and foster the mana of Ngāti Kearoa Ngāti Tuarā through our strategic plan, Paerangi 2050. This strategy focuses on:
- Te Tohu Kaupapa: Reviving our cultural heritage
- Te Tohu Hāpori: Empowering and caring for our iwi
- Te Tohu Taiao: Restoring our natural environment
- Te Tohu Whai Rawa: Growing our asset base
- Te Tohu Tūāpapa: Developing sustainable infrastructure
In 2013, we also established a Charitable Trust to manage contracts in education, health, te reo Māori, and conservation.
OUR TRADITIONAL LAND
Paiaka Lands Trust
Established in 2002, Te Paiaka Lands Trust manages lands such as Tihiotonga A, Kaitao Rotohokahoka 2Q, and Horohoro 2A, along with other blocks at Tihiotonga and Horohoro. This Trust plays a significant role in managing and commercializing our land holdings.
Reserves Trust
We have 18 registered Māori reservations, including our Horohoro Bush and Mountain Reserve (586 hectares). Other significant reserves include pā, urupā, marae, water reserves, and geothermal reserves. Many of these are land-locked, with access being an ongoing challenge.