Hundreds of Māori leaders have gathered in Porirua to discuss the big kaupapa for iwi and hapū, including how they will inform the design of the new Māori Health Authority.
The pōwhiri at Takapūwāhia marae.
Photo: RNZ / Meriana Johnsen
A collective of 71 iwi entities, the National Iwi Chairs Forum (NICF) kicked off its two-day hui - hosted by Ngāti Toa - with a pōwhiri at Takapūwāhia marae.
Over the next couple of days, they ll cover kaupapa (topics) falling under five pou (pillars) - Pou Taiao (environment), Pou Tikanga (constitution and Tiriti o Waitangi), Pou Take Ahurangi (climate), Pou Tangata (people) and Pou Tahua (economics).
Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Toa chair and host Dr Taku Parai said it was important they kept a tight rope on the government, and held them accountable.