History
Taranaki Māori Trust Board
Haehaea te pō Kia tū mai ngā whetu Tākiritia te ārai kapua Kia tākiri mai ko te pūao o te atatū Kia ara mai ko te rā i te tihi o Taranaki Maunga Ka ao, ka ao, ka awatea.
The emergence from darkness Brings forth the morning stars The clearing of the clouds And the new dawn in the eastern sky The sun rises upon the peak of Taranaki And light is cast across the land.
He Kupu Wāwāhi | Background
For more than a century, the Taranaki Māori Trust Board stood as a symbol of resilience, leadership and collective aspiration for the people of Taranaki. Established to represent and advance the interests of Māori throughout the region, the Board played a pivotal role in supporting kaupapa Māori, advocating for justice, investing in education and development, and strengthening connections between iwi and communities. Its legacy is carried not only in the milestones it achieved, but in the generations of people it served. Te Tōpuni Ngārahu proudly honours that legacy and recognises the Trust Board as the foundation upon which this new chapter of collective leadership has been built. For more information visit their website.
1955-1961
Formalising Iwi Structures and Education
The Māori Trust Boards Act 1955 reinforced governance frameworks, and by 1956, the eight constituent Taranaki iwi were formally constituted as beneficiaries under the Act. In 1961, the Taranaki Māori Education Trust was established to promote vocational and higher education for iwi members, administering grants with Crown funding for decades — an enduring commitment to empowering whānau through knowledge.
In 1930, the Taranaki Māori Trust Board was established under the Native Land Amendment Act and Native Land Claim Adjustment Act 1928, creating a formal structure to represent and advocate for Taranaki iwi interests.
The inaugural members — Rangihuna Pire (Chair), Sir Maui Pomare, Wi Kupe Raungaiti, Tupito Maruera, and Rima Wakarua — embodied a vision of unity and resilience.
By 1931, the Board was reconstituted, expanding membership to six, strengthening its capacity to lead iwi aspirations. In 1944, the Taranaki Māori Claims Settlement Act provided for annual payments and a one-off payment for Parihaka, marking an early step toward addressing historic grievances.
1930-1944
Foundations of Collective Advocacy
Internal tension grew regarding representation issues and the basis of allocation of funds, which was not population based but by comparative confiscation. This tension dissipated once the value of funding reduced and it became irrelevant.
The 1970s saw the Trust Board petition the Crown for the return of Taranaki Maunga, representation on the Park Board, and official recognition of ‘Taranaki’ as the mountain’s name. These efforts culminated in the Mount Egmont Vesting Act 1978, which vested title to Taranaki Maunga in the Trust Board — symbolically gifted back to the nation, reflecting both resilience and generosity.
1970-1978
Advocacy for Taranaki Maunga
Following the Mount Egmont Vesting Act 1978, many iwi increasingly sought greater authority over their own affairs and Treaty settlement aspirations. This momentum grew following the release of the , leading the eight iwi of Taranaki to establish their own governance entities to negotiate and settle their respective claims with the Crown. Throughout this process, each iwi agreed to exclude the maunga from individual settlements, recognising its shared significance and the need for a collective approach to its future. As iwi organisations strengthened, the role of the Taranaki Māori Trust Board evolved, prompting extensive strategic planning and engagement on its future direction. In 2017, Ngā Iwi o Taranaki reaffirmed the strength of kotahitanga by signing , agreeing to negotiate collectively with the Crown on matters of shared redress. This milestone laid the foundation for a new era of iwi collaboration and ultimately paved the way for the collective vision that would become Te Tōpuni Ngārahu.
1980-2019
Collective Negotiations Begin
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a Regional Recovery team was established and a Recovery Plan developed. Te Aranga emerged as a symbol of resilience and unity among the eight iwi. From its beginnings during lockdown to its transformation into Ngā Iwi o Taranaki in 2021, this journey reflects strategic vision and unwavering commitment to iwi prosperity and wellbeing.
2020-2022
Responding to Crisis and Evolving Identity
For more than 90 years, the Taranaki Māori Trust Board provided collective leadership for the people of Taranaki. As iwi established their own governance entities, that legacy evolved into a new era of collective iwi leadership.
Our organisation now serves as the operational arm of Te Tōpuni Ngārahu Trust, giving effect to the aspirations enshrined in legislation and the commitments of Te Ruruku Pūtakerongo. Just as the Trust Board in 1930 laid the foundation for unified advocacy, this new era reinforces our kaupapa: safeguarding our taonga and shaping a future grounded in unity, well-being, and enduring connection to Taranaki Maunga.
2023 -2025
Collective Negotiations Begin
On 31 March 2023, Ngā Iwi o Taranaki (the eight post-settlement governance entities) and the Crown initialled Te Ruruku Pūtakerongo, a significant milestone in our journey toward collective redress. Following iwi ratification, Te Ruruku Pūtakerongo was formally signed on 1 September 2023, cementing our shared commitment to the future of Taranaki Maunga and its surrounding environment.
Under Te Ture Whakatupua mō Te Kāhui Tupua 2025, Te Tōpuni Ngārahu Trust was established as the collective iwi governance body, bringing together the chairs of the eight iwi Post-Settlement Governance Entities. This entity now stands as the legal embodiment of our collective voice and responsibility. Working alongside Te Tōpuni Kōkōrangi — the statutory board acting as the human face of Te Kāhui Tupua — Te Tōpuni Ngārahu Trust ensures iwi leadership remains central to decision-making, cultural stewardship, and strategic planning.
