Tekau-mā-rua

The Tēkau-mā-rua ("The Twelve") is the official council of the Māori monarch of the Kīngitanga.

The council was originally established by King Tawhiao, who was inspired by the twelve apostles of Jesus, to assist in running the Kīngitanga. Members were initially only selected from rangatira within Tainui, and replaced when they died.[1][2]

During her reign, Te Atairangikaahu did not appoint new members to the Tēkau-mā-rua. As a result, when Henare Tuwhangai, the last remaining member, died in 1989 the council went into recess.[1][3]

In 2014, King Tuheitia re-established the Tēkau-mā-rua and expanded the membership to include rangatira from iwi from throughout New Zealand, not just Tainui. This included members selected by each of Te Kohanga Reo, the Māori Women's Welfare League and the Māori Council.[2][3]

Its members are currently:[1]

Name Tribal affiliation(s)
Che Wilson (chairperson) Ngāti Rangi
Pou Temara Tūhoe
Rikirangi Gage Te Whānau-a-Apanui
Peeni Henare Ngāti Hine, Ngāpuhi
Hone Harawira Ngāti Hau, Ngāti Wai, Ngāti Hine, Te Aupōuri, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whātua
Te Kahautu Maxwell Ngāi Tai, Ngāti Awa, Te Whānau a Apanui, Ngāti Porou, Tūhoe, Ngāti Maniapoto
Wharehoka Wano Te Ātiawa, Taranaki, Ngāti Awa
Selwyn Parata Ngāti Porou
Jerry Hapuku Ngāti Kahungunu
Companion members
Edward Taihakurei Durie Rangitāne, Ngāti Kauwhata, Ngāti Raukawa
Kahurangi Iritana Tāwhiwhirangi Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāpuhi
Prue Kapua Te Arawa

References

  1. ^ a b c Rātana, Liam (2024-09-03). "How will the next Māori monarch be chosen?". The Spinoff. Retrieved 2024-09-05.
  2. ^ a b "Maori King's Council re-established". Te Ao Māori. RNZ. 25 March 2014. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Tekau Ma Rua given national focus". Waatea News. 25 March 2014. Retrieved 16 November 2024.