Wai 262 Taumata Whakapūmau, made up of the descendants of the original claimants and their six iwi, Ngāti Kurī, Te Rarawa, Ngāti Wai, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu & Ngāti Koata. The role and purpose of Wai 262 Taumata Whakapūmau is to maintain the mauri and uphold the vision of Wai 262. Wai 262 Taumata Whakapūmau have engaged expert technicians to create the protection framework that recognises the rights and obligations of kaitiaki, under the guidance of tohunga.

Since 2020, Wai 262 Taumata Whakapūmau have been progressing priorities grounded in the Pou Uara, or foundational values, of Wai 262: 

• Whakapapa 
• Aroha
• Kaitiakitanga 
• Te Tino Rangatiratanga
• Manaakitanga 
• Tapu & Tikanga 
• Whanaungatanga 
• Mauri
  

Wai 262 Taumata Whakapūmau are extending their support to all kaupapa Māori who seek a tikanga led protection framework of their flora, fauna and intellectual property rights, through the  process of Kanohi Ora engagements, as a national Maori voice grows to support ngā kaupapa o Wai 262. 

Wai 262 Taumata Whakapūmau are now in the processes of the emergence of a national Māori voice to speak with the Crown on ngā kaupapa o Wai 262. This process seeks ways to uphold and gain more control, partnership and influence for Māori over taonga works and intellectual property, genetics and biological resources, the relationship with the environment, taonga and the conservation estate, te reo  Māori, mātauranga Māori, rongoa Māori and international instruments.