Who are we?

We are the Hereditary Chiefs and Chiefs of tribes who have been selected to participate in decision making for the local hapu, regional, and National Wakaminenga. Our key role is to act as ethical decision-makers with respect to Article 3 of our Constitution – He Wakaputanga o Te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tireni 1835 (Proclamation of Independence 1835).

Apart from Ariki and Rangatira, also included in the Chiefs of Confederation of the United Tribes of New Zealand are also have kaiawhina that hold talents or skills that are able to be called on for monitoring, analysis, reporting, and implementation of decisions we make.

What do we do?

  • Framing laws
  • Dispensation of justice
  • Preservation of peace and good order
  • Regulation of trade

Become a member of the Confederation

If your hapu or whanau have proclaimed themselves under He Wakaputanga o Te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tireni, you can nominate chiefs towards entering the Confederation based on these criteria, which are:

(1) Hereditary Chief;

(2) Chief of a tribe (hapu);

(3) Tohunga with talents in these areas such as:

          • whakapapa, tikanga, ture, culture, arts, science, history, economics, analysis, computing, health, rongoa, education, social science, leadership, management, administration, politics, planning, diplomacy, languages.

Each Chief will go through an interview process whereby a committee of the National Wakaminenga, will screen and provide training for ethical conduct before they enter into the Confederation and in the participation of the Wakaminenga.

Ethical Code of Conduct

In order to maintain order within Te Wakaminenga, Chiefs are required to meet a high standard of ethical behaviour in order to firstly operate as a functioning Te Wakaminenga, but also to prevent injustices to hapu whanau and other people.

All Chiefs will be given a Code of Ethical Conduct, and participate in wananga for self-improvement and development.