Kia tū rangatira ai ā Rongowhakaata

Rongowhakaata leads with vitality. We recognise the value of our mātauranga as a wellspring of solutions, nurturing our identity as Tūranga Whenua, Tūranga Tāngata, Tūranga Toi.

Tūranga Whenua
Our Places

Rongowhakaata maintains strong connection to the land and sea, as Mana Whenua of Tūranganui-a-Kiwa. Our tribal rohe encompasses Te Kōwhai at Te Wherowhero Lagoon, inland to Te Arai Headwaters, continuing to Te Reinga in the south-west, north, encompassing Gisborne city business district, past Puhi Kai-iti, Wainui to Pouawa. 

Tūranga Tangata
Our People

Rongowhakaata Iwi Trust operates within the palisades of our people. We both lead and are led by them. Our heads marked with kōkōwai, we are descended from shape-shifters, change-makers, peacekeepers, prophets and artists.

Rongowhakaata Iwi has many sub hapū lead by three
primary hapū; Ngāti Kaipoho, Ngāti Maru and Ngai Tāwhiri.

Tūranga Toi
Our expression

Our unique kawa, values, and tribal narratives seep into all aspects of our identity. Rongowhakaata Iwi Trust navigates into the future maintaining our iwi legacy with creativity and innovation as our ancestors once did.