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.
Tākuta Te Moana Nui a Kiwa Jackson
Dr. Moana Jackson was a highly respected Māori lawyer and scholar known for his advocacy on Indigenous rights, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and social justice. He authored the influential report He Whaipaanga Hou (1988), which reshaped the discourse on the justice system’s treatment of Māori and played a key role in the Matike Mai Aotearoa constitutional transformation report.
Nomination: VIEW HERE
Final Citation: VIEW HERE
Tākuta Whatarangi Winiata
Emeritus Professor Whatarangi Winiata is a visionary leader in Māori education and iwi development, particularly within Ngāti Raukawa. He established Whakatupuranga Rua Mano – Generation 2000, which led to the creation of Te Wānanga o Raukawa, and played a key role in Treaty negotiations, including the Fisheries Settlement Act (1992). Nominated by Ngāti Raukawa, his induction was held at Raukawa Marae on 20 November 2022.
Nomination: VIEW HERE
Final Citation: VIEW HERE
Kahurangi Tākuta Iritana Tawhiwhirangi
Dame Dr. Iritana Tawhiwhirangi is a pioneering advocate for Māori education and language revitalisation. As a key figure in establishing Te Kōhanga Reo in 1982, she has dedicated her life to Māori early childhood education, leadership, and cultural preservation.
Nomination: VIEW HERE
Final Citation: VIEW HERE
Patricia Frances Grace
Patricia Grace is a groundbreaking Māori author who has brought Māori perspectives to the forefront of literature in Aotearoa and internationally. Her novels and short stories, including Potiki, Tu, and From the Centre, have received widespread acclaim for their portrayal of Māori life and identity. Nominated by Ngāti Toa, Te Āti Awa, and Ngāti Raukawa, her induction was held at the National Iwi Chairs’ Forum Gala Awards Dinner in Waikato on 1 September 2023.
Nomination: VIEW HERE
Final Citation: VIEW HERE
Kahurangi Tariana Turia
Dame Tariana Turia is a transformative leader in Māori health and politics, known for co-founding Te Pāti Māori and spearheading Whānau Ora. She served as a Member of Parliament for 18 years, advocating for Māori self-determination in health, social services, and economic development. Nominated by Ngā Waiariki Ngāti Apa, Ngā Rauru, Tūwharetoa, and Whanganui Iwi, her induction took place at the National Iwi Chairs’ Forum Gala Awards Dinner in Waikato on 1 September 2023.
Nomination: VIEW HERE
Final Citation: VIEW HERE
Tākuta Catherine Moana Dewes
Dr. Cathy Dewes is a lifelong advocate for te reo Māori revitalisation, Māori education, and kaupapa Māori initiatives. She played a crucial role in the 1972 Reo Māori Petition, co-founded Te Kura o Ruamata, and has contributed significantly to the Waitangi Tribunal and Te Mātāwai. Nominated by Te Arawa, her induction was held at the National Iwi Chairs’ Forum Gala Awards Dinner in Waikato on 1 September 2023.
Nomination: VIEW HERE
Final Citation: VIEW HERE
Walter Takaha Penetito
Emeritus Professor Wally Penetito is a leading Māori educator and researcher known for his work in decolonising education and promoting mātauranga Māori. He has authored influential works, including What’s Māori About Māori Education?, and was the first Māori appointed as Professor of Education at Victoria University. Nominated by Ngāti Hauā, his induction took place at Raungaiti Marae on 29 April 2023.
Nomination: VIEW HERE
Final Citation: VIEW HERE
Turoa Kiniwe Royal
Dr. Tūroa Royal was a pioneering Māori educationalist dedicated to integrating Māori language and culture into education. He introduced bilingual education at Wellington High School, was the founding Director of Whitireia Polytechnic, and played a key role in establishing Te Wānanga o Raukawa. His induction took place at the National Iwi Chairs Forum in Kerikeri on 1 February 2024.
Nomination: VIEW HERE
Final Citation: VIEW HERE
Tā Hirini Moko Mead
Sir Hirini Moko Mead is an influential Māori scholar, educator, and leader whose work has shaped Māori arts, language, and education for over seven decades. He founded Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi, led Ngāti Awa through the Treaty settlement process, and has authored numerous works on tikanga and Māori history. Nominated by Ngāti Awa, his induction took place at Te Mānuka Tūtahi Marae, Whakatāne, on 16 February 2024.
Nomination: VIEW HERE
Final Citation: VIEW HERE
Norm Dewes & Linda Ngata
Norm Dewes (Ngāti Kahungunu) and Linda Ngata (Ngāti Porou) are esteemed community leaders who have significantly contributed to the empowerment of urban Māori communities. They played pivotal roles in the establishment of Te Rūnanga o Ngā Maata Waka and Ngā Hau e Whā Marae in Christchurch, strengthening the relationship between urban Māori and Ngāi Tahu. Nominated by Ngāi Tūāhuriri and Ngāi Tahu, their induction took place in Christchurch on 13 October 2023.
Nomination: VIEW HERE
Final Citation: VIEW HERE
Tākuta Hauata Palmer
Dr. Hauata Palmer is a dedicated leader in Ngāi Te Rangi, known for his commitment to iwi development, cultural revitalisation, and Māori education.
From humble beginnings on Motuhoa Island, he became the first in his family to earn a degree, later establishing Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Te Rangi Iwi Trust and serving as a kaumātua, guiding his iwi.
Nomination: VIEW HERE
Final Citation: VIEW HERE
Mavis Mullins
Mavis Mullins (Rangitāne, Te Ātihaunui-a-Pāpārangi, Ngāti Ranginui) is a distinguished Māori leader, businesswoman, and advocate for Māori economic development. She played a crucial role in securing the Rangitāne o Wairarapa and Rangitāne o Tamaki nui-ā-Rua Treaty settlements, led her family shearing business to global recognition, and was instrumental in establishing 2degrees Mobile as Chair of Te Huarahi Tika Trust. Nominated by Rangitāne Tū Mai Rā, her induction took place in Ahuriri at the National Iwi Chairs’ Forum in November 2024.
Nomination: VIEW HERE
Final Citation: VIEW HERE
Tā Timoti Kāretu
Sir Tīmoti Kāretu (KNZM QSO CRSNZ) is a revered expert in te reo Māori, kapa haka, and language revitalisation. He was the first Māori Language Commissioner, co-founded Te Panekiretanga o Te Reo, and has had an enduring impact on education and the performing arts. Nominated by Ngāti Kahungunu and Ngāi Tūhoe, his induction took place in Heretaunga on 1 November 2024.
Nomination: VIEW HERE
Final Citation: VIEW HERE
Tā Pita Sharples
Sir Pita Sharples (KNZM CBE) is a respected Māori leader, politician, and educator who has played a pivotal role in language revitalisation and Māori self-determination. He co-founded Te Pāti Māori, established Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Hoani Waititi, and led key Māori initiatives in education, politics, and the arts. Nominated by Ngāti Kahungunu, his induction took place in Heretaunga on 1 November 2024.
Nomination: VIEW HERE
Final Citation: VIEW HERE
Mana Elizabeth Hunkin
Mana Elizabeth (Liz) Hunkin (QSM) is a champion of Māori language revitalisation, particularly through the Te Ataarangi methodology. For over four decades, she has empowered communities by making te reo Māori accessible through innovative teaching techniques, co-founding Te Kura Motuhake o Te Ataarangi. Nominated by Ngāti Rākaipaaka, her induction took place in Heretaunga on 1 November 2024.
Nomination: VIEW HERE
Final Citation: VIEW HERE