The Whare Pukenga is a prestigious honour awarded by the National Iwi Chairs Forum to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to revitalising and protecting Te Ao Māori. Recognising leadership and impact at a national level, this award acknowledges those who embody key Māori values such as rangatiratanga, whanaungatanga, and kaitiakitanga. The selection process involves endorsement from iwi, assessment by a panel, and final approval by the Forum. Successful recipients are inducted into the Whare Pukenga and presented with a written citation and taonga.
