30 Years of NKII – Looking Ahead to Kahungunu 2050
This year, Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated marks 30 years since the organisation was established in its current form on 9 December 1996.
Thirty years is an important milestone. It gives us an opportunity to look back at where we have come from, acknowledge the many people who have contributed along the way, and importantly, look ahead to where we want Ngāti Kahungunu to be in the future.
Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated is the Mandated Iwi Organisation and authority representing Ngāti Kahungunu. Over the past three decades, the organisation has worked across many areas affecting our people, including iwi representation, whānau wellbeing, education, culture, economic development, te taiao, advocacy and relationships with government and other agencies.
Like any organisation that has been around for 30 years, there have been changes, challenges, successes and lessons along the way. Governments have changed, communities have changed and the needs and aspirations of our whānau have continued to evolve.
But our responsibility has remained the same - to represent Ngāti Kahungunu and support the aspirations of our people. The strength of NKII has never been about one Board, one Chief Executive or one generation of staff. It has been built over time by the many people who have contributed through governance, leadership, mahi, advocacy, tikanga, administration, manaakitanga and service.
As part of our 30-year celebrations, we are taking the opportunity to acknowledge 30 special recipients who were nominated for their many years of service and contribution to Ngāti Kahungunu.
These recipients represent many different areas of iwi life. They are leaders, kaumātua, cultural practitioners, educators, advocates, nannies, volunteers and community champions who have given their time, knowledge and energy to strengthening our iwi, hapū, marae and whānau.
They will be formally acknowledged at our Toitū Kahungunu Gala Event on Thursday 24 September 2026 at Toitoi – Hawke’s Bay Arts & Events Centre.
The response from our whānau has been wonderful. The Gala is now sold out, with more than 900 registered members booked to attend and celebrate this important milestone together.
While we are acknowledging 30 recipients as part of our 30th anniversary, we know they represent the many hands and hearts that have served Ngāti Kahungunu throughout the generations.
See below the list of our 30 recipients and a bite-sized snapshot of the contribution each has made to Ngāti Kahungunu.
While this anniversary gives us an opportunity to celebrate our history, it is just as important that we look ahead at the next 25 years that will take us towards Kahungunu 2050.
Our vision, “Ki te whaiao, ki te ao mārama – the continuous pursuit of excellence,” remains central to that future.
Kahungunu 2050 focuses our attention on five important areas: being culturally strong; strengthening whānau wellbeing; achieving economic independence; growing mātauranga, education and succession; and protecting te taiao while building climate resilience.
By 2050 we want our whānau strongly connected to their whakapapa, pā and marae, with te reo Māori and tikanga continuing to flourish. We want healthy and thriving whānau, prosperous people and growing assets. We want strong Kahungunu leaders coming through and mokopuna who are confident in who they are, capable in the world they live in and able to determine their own futures.
We also want our people continuing to care for and restore our whenua, awa and moana, as our tūpuna did before us.
Thirty years has given NKII a strong foundation. The next 25 years are about what we build upon it.
As we celebrate those who have helped bring us to where we are today, we also acknowledge the responsibility we carry for those who will come after us.
Our job now is to ensure Ngāti Kahungunu continues to have a strong voice, a clear direction and the courage to pursue our aspirations, while keeping our whānau, hapū and marae at the heart of the journey towards Kahungunu 2050.
