Understanding Māori identity in Tāmaki Makaurau | Te tuakiri Māori o Tāmaki Makaurau
Tāmaki Makaurau, one of the traditional Māori names for the wider Auckland region, means “Tāmaki desired by many”. It refers to the abundant natural resources, strategic viewpoints, waka (canoe) portage routes – where canoes were carried overland between the harbours – and mahinga kai (traditional food sources) which first attracted Māori, and then other settlers. Māori have deep spiritual and cultural connections to the land, maunga (volcanic cones), harbours and waters of the region.
Everyone is welcome to learn about Māori identity and contribute to the shared future of Tāmaki Makaurau.
The first people of Tāmaki Makaurau
The Māori iwi (tribes) and hapū (sub-tribes) who have ancestral connections to Tāmaki Makaurau and the wider region are often referred to as:
- Tangata whenua (people of the land)
- Mana whenua (those with ancestral authority over the land), or
- Iwi kāinga (home tribes of the area)
As kaitiaki (guardians), these groups have a central role in caring for Auckland’s land, water, and natural resources.
Guided by tikanga (Māori customary practices), one of their priorities is ensuring the mauri (life force) of the natural world remains healthy and strong.
Today, mana whenua play a key role in growing the regional economy. They are important partners in city development, leaders in environmental care, and provide centres of support and identity for their communities. This mahi (work) contributes to the unique social, cultural, environmental and economic fabric of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.
Mana whenua interests are represented by 19 iwi (tribal) authorities across Tāmaki Makaurau and the greater Auckland region (in alphabetical order):
| Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki Ngāti Manuhiri Ngāti Maru Ngāti Paoa Ngāti Rehua Ngāti Wai ki Aotea Ngaati Tamaoho |
Ngāti Tamaterā Ngaati Te Ata Waiohua Ngāti Wai Ngāti Whanaunga Ngāti Whātua o Kaipara Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei |
Te Ahiwaru Te Ākitai Waiohua Te Kawerau ā Maki Te Patukirikiri Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua Te Uri o Hau Waikato Tainui |
You can learn more about each iwi on the Tiaki Tāmaki Makaurau website, including their connections to the region and their values and priorities in relation to te taiao - the environment.
Te ao Māori – Māori ways of seeing the world
For Māori, the connection to land and water is more than physical, it is deeply cultural and spiritual, rooted in whakapapa (genealogical ties).
Natural features, like maunga (mountains), awa (rivers/streams), rākau (trees), and the moana (oceans/seas) are often seen as living ancestors, carrying genealogical and historical meaning.
Find out about Tāmaki Makaurau’s mana whenua perspectives and aspirations for te taiao – the natural world that contains and surrounds us.
More information is available on:
- restoration of the natural environment: Te Haumanu Taiao
- climate action: Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri - Auckland's Climate Plan
Get involved – activities and events to connect with te ao Māori
- Visit these key centres to learn more about our unique culture and mana whenua connection to the natural environment:
- Te Wharekura, on the Auckland City Centre waterfront
- Maangere Mountain Education Centre / Te Pane o Mataoho in Māngere
- Arataki Visitor Centre in the Waitākere Ranges
- Auckland Museum in the Domain.
- Attend a Waitangi Day celebration, held on 6 February every year. Waitangi Day is our national holiday and commemorates the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in 1840 by more than forty Māori Rangatira (chiefs) and Captain William Hobson. There are plenty of free, family-friendly events at public parks and marae across the region, full of tasty kai (food), great music and enriching kōrero (conversations). Visit OurAuckland for details.
- Explore walkways and your local and regional parks, where you can learn about places that have important historical, cultural and spiritual meaning to mana whenua.
- Learn about Matariki and attend a Matariki Festival event, in June/July every year.
- Learn about Māori astronomy and the maramataka (Māori lunar calendar) at the Stardome.
- Care for the environment in our parks or help enhance the mauri (life force) of tupuna maunga (ancestral mountains) by joining a community planting day.
- Look out for hikoi (guided walks) in local parks, and wānanga (classes) at local marae and community centres on Our Auckland, Tiaki Tāmaki Makaurau or the council’s social media - Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
