4
Ko Mookau ki runga
Ko Taamaki ki raro
Ko Mangatoatoa ki waenganui.
Pare Hauraki, Pare Waikato
Te Kaokaoroa-o-Paatetere.
We are defined by our land,
We are proud people,
We are our river, our river is us.
We are the Kiingitanga,
Today, Waikato-Tainui has a membership of just under 66,000
descendants. Our iwi is young with almost two-thirds of our
members aged under 40 years. And we are mobile. While
the majority of our members live within the tribal boundary,
many are located throughout Aotearoa and across the world.
ko wai
taatou
our river, our history and the Kiingitanga.
each of us descended from the intrepid voyagers who
crossed the ocean to land the Tainui waka on the shores
of Kaawhia in the 13th century. Led by Hoturoa, these
tupuna left Rangiatea to discover a new land rich in fertile
soils and abundant wildlife, bordered by a plentiful supply
of kaimoana.
The Waikato River represents the mana and mauri of
Waikato-Tainui and is a living entity, a mauri that is an
inseparable part of our whakapapa and identity. The return of
our tupuna awa in 2008 guaranteed its restoration and the
protection of its health and wellbeing for future generations.
a responsibility undertaken more than 150 years ago on behalf
of all iwi to uphold mana motuhake, empower all Maaori and
promote unity amongst all people.
Mookau is above
Taamaki is below
Mangatoatoa is between.
The boundaries of Hauraki, the boundaries of Waikato
To the place called ‘the long armpit of Paatetere’.
about
waikato
tainui
