Te Kāhui Whakarehunga established to advance kotahitanga across iwi of Wellington, Waiarapa and Kapiti
A new iwi collective – Te Kāhui Whakarehunga – has been established, bringing together iwi from Wellington, Wairarapa and Kapiti with the shared aim of advancing kotahitanga in response to the call of the late Kiingi Tuheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII.
Te Kāhui Whakarehunga is a collective made up of Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Te Āti Awa, Rangitāne o Wairarapa, Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, Te Āti Awa ki Whakarongotai and Ngā Hapū o Ōtaki.
The collective represents a significant step toward uniting iwi across rohe, strengthening shared whakapapa, whanaungatanga and a collective voice for present and future generations. Importantly, each iwi maintains its own mana motuhake and rangatiratanga – the kaupapa creates a mechanism for standing together and leaning on each other for support and guidance, while remaining strong in their own identities.
“Kiingi Tuheitia reminded us that our strength as Māori lies in our unity,” said Callum Kātene, Ngāti Toa speaking on behalf of Te Kāhui Whakarehunga. “Te Kāhui Whakarehunga is our response – a commitment to come together, to support one another, and to advance our aspirations collectively within Te Ūpoko o Te Ika, Te Karu o Te Ika and Te Pane o Te Ika.”
Te Kāhui Whakarehunga will focus on building collaboration across kaupapa including:
protection and revitalisation of te reo me ngā tikanga Māori;
collective approaches to environmental stewardship and kaitiakitanga;
advancing shared social and economic development priorities; and
ensuring the voices of iwi are heard clearly and strongly in matters of regional and national importance.
“Our tūpuna laid down pathways of unity, and it is our responsibility to walk them together,” said Kura Moeahu, Te Āti Awa. “This kaupapa is not about replacing individual iwi identities or mana motuhake – it is about weaving them together in strength, as the Kiingi called us to do.”
Te Kāhui Whakarehunga also remains open to kōrero with other iwi who share the vision of kotahitanga across the wider rohe, ensuring the doors of collaboration are always open for those who wish to join or work alongside the collective.