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Today, Waikato-Tainui has a membership of just over 67,000 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 Mookau ki runga
Ko Taamaki ki raro
Ko Mangatoatoa ki waenganui.
Pare Hauraki, Pare Waikato
Te Kaokaoroa-o-Paatetere.
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’.
we are defined by our l and,
our river, our history and the Kiingitanga.
we are proud peopl e,
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.
we are our r i ver , our r i ver is us .
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.
we are the k iingi tanga ,
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.
about wa i k ato -ta inui
KO WAI TAATOU
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waikato-tainui
annual report 2015