Te Aho Matua
Te Aho Matua are made up of tohunga and knowledge holders within their respective fields. This rōpū are tasked with re-establishing our tikanga structures ensuring the mana and integrity of the kaupapa are kept intact.
Through Te Aho Matua, tohunga and rangatira sit side by side to navigate our relationships with the Crown. Te Aho Matua will continue to evolve as each iwi has its own tohunga and rangatira to guide them.
Te Aho Matua was established in 2021 to ensure that Te Taumata Whakapūmau upholds the legacy of the original claimants and “kia whakapūmau te mauri o Wai 262”.
Te Aho Matua are tohunga mātauranga Māori advocates for te taiao, te ao wairua, te ao Māori and te reo me ona tikanga. Their deep connection to taonga and mātauranga Māori binds them to the mauri of the claim.
Te Aho Matua are the puna whakamārama and puna mātauranga to advise and guide Te Taumata Whakapūmau, Kahu Aronui and Tai 262.
As engagement with Wai 262 continues with whānau, hapū, iwi, Te Aho Matua will grow and evolve to protect the mauri of the Wai 262 claim.
The claimants vision and aspiration seeks to restore “te tino rangatiratanga o te Iwi Māori in respect of flora and fauna and all of our taonga.” Taonga being those things and values which we treasure, material, non-material, tangible and intangible.