Ngāi Tahu

1. Business / Trading Name:

• Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Limited – the statutory tribal council of Ngāi Tahu, established by the Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Act 1996.

• Ngāi Tahu Holdings Corporation Limited – the commercial investment arm of Ngāi Tahu (trading as Ngāi Tahu Holdings).

2. Company number:

• 1622204 (Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Limited)

• 561568 (Ngāi Tahu Holdings Corporation Limited)

3. NZBN: (New Zealand Business Number)

• 9429034827833 (Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Limited)

• 9429038932212 (Ngāi Tahu Holdings Corporation Limited)

4. Entity type:

• Statutory iwi authority (Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, established by Act of Parliament in 1996).

• NZ Limited Company (Ngāi Tahu Holdings Corporation Ltd, incorporated 10 Dec 1992). (Ngāi Tahu Holdings is owned via a charitable trust).

5. Business classification:

• Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Limited:

• Ngāi Tahu Holdings Corporation Limited: K624030 Holding company operation – passive investment in subsidiary companies (Ngāi Tahu Holdings manages diversified commercial subsidiaries for the iwi).

6. Industry Category:

• Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Limited: Non-profit iwi organisation (tribal governance and social development)

• Ngāi Tahu Holdings Corporation Limited: Investment management (diversified portfolio in tourism, fisheries, property, farming, etc.).

7. Year founded:

• 1996 – Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu formally established (via Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Act 1996). Incorporation Date 19 April 2005.

• 1992 – Ngāi Tahu Holdings Corporation Ltd incorporated (pre-settlement commercial vehicle).

8. Addresses:

• Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Limited & Ngāi Tahu Holdings Corporation Limited:

• Head Office: Te Whare o Te Waipounamu, 15 Show Place, Addington, Christchurch 8024

• Postal Address: PO Box 13-046, Armagh, Christchurch 8141

• Registered Office: 15 Show Place, Addington, Christchurch 8024

9. Website URL:

• Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu (iwi site):

http://ngaitahu.iwi.nz

• Ngāi Tahu Holdings: (page within iwi site) https://ngaitahu.iwi.nz/te-runanga-o-ngai-tahu/ngai-tahu-holdings/

10. LinkedIn URL:

• Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ngai-tahu

• Ngāi Tahu Holdings: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ngai-tahu-holdings-corporation

11. Company Hub NZ URL:

• Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Limited:

https://www.companyhub.nz/companyDetails.cfm?nzbn=9429034827833

• Ngāi Tahu Holdings Corporation Limited: https://www.companyhub.nz/companyDetails.cfm?nzbn=9429038932212

12. NZ Companies Office URL:

• Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Limited:

https://app.companiesoffice.govt.nz/co/1622204

• Ngāi Tahu Holdings Corporation Limited: https://app.companiesoffice.govt.nz/co/561568

13. Social Media URLs:

• Facebook: Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu – https://www.facebook.com/TeRunangaoNgaiTahu

• Twitter (X): @NgaiTahu – https://twitter.com/NgaiTahu

• Instagram: @terunangaongaitahu – https://www.instagram.com/terunangaongaitahu

14. Ultimate Holding Company:

• Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Limited: Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu

• Ngāi Tahu Holdings Corporation Limited: Ngāi Tahu Charitable Trust

15. Key Shareholders:

• Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Limited: Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu (100%)

• Ngāi Tahu Holdings Corporation Limited: Ngāi Tahu Charitable Trust (100%)

16. Leadership:

• Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Limited:

• Kaiwhakahaere (Chairperson), Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu: Justin Tipa – elected 2023, succeeded Lisa Tumahai.

• Deputy Kaiwhakahaere (Deputy Chair): Tania Wati – elected 2023 (represents Ngāi Tūāhuriri).

• Chief Executive Officer (Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu) Ben Bateman

• Ngāi Tahu Holdings Corporation Limited:

• Chief Executive Officer (Ngāi Tahu Holdings): Todd Moyle – appointed in 2024 as CEO of the commercial arm.

• Director (Ngāi Tahu Holdings): Rodger Finlay – independent director, appointed 2018 (current chair of NTHC board).

• Other Board Members (Ngāi Tahu Holdings): Includes Jon Hartley, Sophie Haslem (both appointed 2022), Jason Paris, Fiona Pimm, Warwick John Tauwhare-George, Kristen Kohere-Soutar, Michael Pohio, Juliet Tainui-Hernandez, etc..

(Governance of Te Rūnanga comprises 18 Papatipu Rūnanga representatives and an elected Kaiwhakahaere).

17. Staff:

• Approx. 51–200 employees in Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu (tribal administration).

• Approx. 201–500 employees in Ngāi Tahu Holdings (across its business units). (The wider Ngāi Tahu group, including all subsidiaries in tourism, farming, etc., had several hundred staff prior to Covid-19 impacts.)

18. Staff that have held previous government roles:

• Tutehounuku (“Nuk”) Korako – former National Party List MP (2014–2019) and now Ngāi Tahu Holdings Director and a Ngāi Tahu-appointed councillor on Environment Canterbury.

• Lisa Tumahai – served as Deputy Chair (and Acting Chair) of the NZ Climate Change Commission (a Crown entity) during her tenure as Ngāi Tahu Chair.

• Sir Mark Solomon – Knighted former Kaiwhakahaere (1998–2016), later appointed to various government bodies (e.g. co-chair of Oranga Tamariki Ministerial Advisory Board in 2021, and co-author of a 2019 Govt-commissioned justice reform report).

• Dr. Rekaha (Rachael) Taulelei – former Trade Commissioner (NZTE) and government-appointed director, joined Ngāi Tahu Holdings board in 2022 (bringing public sector experience).

• Juliet Tainui-Hernandez – former Assistant Governor of the Reserve Bank of NZ, now a director on Ngāi Tahu Holdings board.

(Other examples include Sir Tipene O’Regan, who, and Sir John Hansen, an independent chair of Ngāi Tahu’s audit committee who was a former High Court judge.)

19. Past Employees:

• Sir Tipene O’Regan – kaumātua and chief negotiator of Ngāi Tahu’s settlement, former long-time Chairman of the Ngāi Tahu Māori Trust Board (predecessor to Te Rūnanga). Led the iwi to its 1998 settlement and oversaw establishment of its commercial base.

• Tahu Pōtiki – CEO of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu (2002–2006), oversaw a period of post-settlement commercial expansion.

• Anake Goodall – CEO of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu (2007–2011), consolidated operations after rapid growth and strengthened the tribal organisational foundation.

• Mike Sang – CFO of Ngāi Tahu (2009–2011) then CEO of Te Rūnanga (2011–2012) and later CEO of Ngāi Tahu Holdings (2013–2020), credited with significant asset growth; resigned after nearly 7 years in 2020.

• Trevor Burt (d.2018) – former Chair of Ngāi Tahu Holdings (2011–2015), an independent director who guided early investment strategy.

• Greg Campbell – CEO of Ngāi Tahu Holdings (approx. 2008–2012), led the commercial arm prior to Mike Sang.

• Arihia Bennett CNZM – CEO of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu from 2012 until stepping down in 2024.

• Sir John “Tipene” Solomon – (Not to be confused with Mark Solomon) chaired Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu during the 1980s; pivotal in advancing the Ngāi Tahu Claim in its early stages. (Also notable: Sir Morgan Tahupōtiki (Bill) Giles and Hana O’Regan served in leadership roles, contributing to tribal education and language revitalisation.)

20. Clients:

• Ngāi Tahu Whānui – the collective of over 80,000 registered Ngāi Tahu tribal members (beneficiaries) whom Te Rūnanga represents and for whom assets are held.

21. Industries/Sectors Represented:

• Tourism and Hospitality – Ngāi Tahu owns major tourism enterprises (e.g. Shotover Jet, Guided Walks, Glacier Hot Pools) and is a leading tourism operator in Aotearoa.

• Fisheries and Aquaculture – Significant seafood interests via Ngāi Tahu Seafood; also a substantial shareholder in Sanford Ltd (a major fishing company).

• Property Development and Real Estate – Ngāi Tahu Property develops residential, commercial, and rural properties (including large projects in Christchurch and Queenstown).

• Forestry and Farming – Operates forestry estates and high country farms (Ngāi Tahu Farming) producing dairy, beef, and forestry products.

• Investments and Finance – Ngāi Tahu Investments manages equity portfolios (including private equity and joint ventures), leveraging capital for intergenerational growth.

• Environmental Resource Management – Represents Māori interests in environmental governance (freshwater, conservation, climate policy), often advocating in government fora for kaitiakitanga (guardianship) values.

(Overall, Ngāi Tahu’s portfolio is multi-sector, spanning primary industries, tourism, property, and diversified investments.)

22. Publicly Disclosed Engagements:

• Statutory Co-Governance: Ngāi Tahu secured legislative provision for permanent mana whenua representation on the Canterbury Regional Council (Environment Canterbury), with two Ngāi Tahu councillors holding full voting rights. (This arose from the Canterbury Regional Council (Ngāi Tahu Representation) Act 2022.)

• Litigation for Treaty Rights: In 2020–2025 Ngāi Tahu took the Crown to the High Court in a landmark case seeking co-management of South Island freshwater – a move openly acknowledged as having major constitutional implications.

• Parliamentary Bills and Submissions: Ngāi Tahu has directly engaged in law-making, for example via Te Tai Tonga MP Rino Tirikatene’s Ngāi Tahu Representation Bill (tabled in 2019) to entrench council seats. Ngāi Tahu leaders frequently present evidence to Parliamentary committees and inquiries (e.g. on environmental legislation and resource management reforms).

• Ministerial and Agency Consultations: As a Treaty partner, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu is routinely consulted by central and local government on policies affecting iwi interests (e.g. conservation, 3 Waters infrastructure, land use). In 2022, Ngāi Tahu publicly rebutted a claim by the Opposition leader regarding iwi intentions in the Three Waters reform, demonstrating active engagement in public policy debates.

• Local Government MOUs: Papatipu Rūnanga (local arms of Ngāi Tahu) have formal partnerships with regional and district councils. For instance, through the “Tuia” programme with Environment Canterbury, Ngāi Tahu contributes to regional planning and environment decision-making. The iwi also co-governs Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere with local authorities under a formal agreement.

(Ngāi Tahu’s involvement in public affairs is often publicly visible via court actions, parliamentary records, and press statements, even in the absence of a lobbying register.)

23. Affiliations:

• National Iwi Chairs Forum (NICF): Ngāi Tahu is an active member of this forum of Māori iwi leaders, which coordinates collective responses on national policy (the Ngāi Tahu Chair/Kaiwhakahaere participates in NICF hui). Through NICF, Ngāi Tahu has been involved in the Iwi Leaders Groups on issues like freshwater and climate change.

• Federation of Māori Authorities (FOMA): Ngāi Tahu entities are affiliated with FOMA, which represents Māori enterprises nationwide (Ngāi Tahu’s commercial leaders engage with FOMA on Māori economic development strategies).

• Waikato–Tainui Alliance: Ngāi Tahu has a formal partnership with the Tainui iwi. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed in 2007 between Ngāi Tahu and Waikato-Tainui to cooperate on “tribal, political, legal and commercial matters,” recognizing their common interests and strengthening inter-iwi collaboration. This alliance led to joint investments (e.g. Go Bus) and united advocacy on kaupapa of mutual concern.

• Te Ohu Kaimoana & Fishing Industry Bodies: As an iwi beneficiary of the Māori Fisheries Settlement, Ngāi Tahu is linked to Te Ohu Kaimoana (the Māori Fisheries Trust) and participates in Māori commercial fisheries networks.

• Chambers of Commerce & Industry Groups: Ngāi Tahu Holdings and its subsidiaries often engage with regional business councils (such as the Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce) and sector groups (e.g. Tourism Industry Aotearoa), although not formally listed as lobby groups.

(Ngāi Tahu’s affiliations span both Māori collectives and mainstream industry bodies, reflecting its dual role as kaitiaki (guardian) and investor.)

24. Sponsorships / Collaborations:

• Iwi Joint Ventures: Ngāi Tahu has partnered with other iwi and entities in business ventures. Notably, Ngāi Tahu Holdings and Tainui Group Holdings jointly owned Go Bus (NZ’s largest bus company) from 2014 until its sale in 2020, demonstrating cross-iwi commercial collaboration. The two iwi also co-invest in property and share governance insights under their cooperation pact.

• Academic and Cultural Sponsorship: Ngāi Tahu co-founded the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre at the University of Canterbury in 2011 (in partnership with the university), funding indigenous scholarship and archival research. The iwi also sponsors educational programmes (grants for Ngāi Tahu students, kura kaupapa support) and cultural initiatives (e.g. Te Matatini kapa haka festival sponsorships and local cultural events).

• Conservation and Environmental Projects: The tribe works with the Department of Conservation (DoC) and local councils on conservation projects – for example, Ngāi Tahu is a key partner in Te Waihora Restoration programmes (Whakaora Te Waihora) alongside DoC and Environment Canterbury. It also collaborates on kiwi breeding (National Kiwi Hatchery) and other biodiversity initiatives, sometimes contributing financially or in-kind (land, expertise).

• Community & Sporting Sponsorship: Ngāi Tahu entities have at times sponsored community events in Te Waipounamu. For instance, Ngāi Tahu was a major sponsor of the biennial Te Waipounamu Māori Sports Awards and contributes to local marae developments. (Ngāi Tahu Tourism has also partnered with NZ Rugby on the All Blacks Experience in Auckland).

• Strategic Tourism Assets Protection Programme: Ngāi Tahu Tourism collaborated with the Government in 2020 to secure grants under the STAPP scheme, receiving $1.95 million for four iconic tourism operations (Franz Josef Glacier Guides, Dark Sky Project, Dart River Adventures, and the National Kiwi Hatchery) – a partnership aimed at preserving key tourist attractions during Covid-19.

(These collaborations illustrate Ngāi Tahu’s willingness to work jointly with external partners – from iwi allies to Crown agencies – to advance shared goals.)

25. Events (held or organised by this organisation):

• Hui-ā-Tau (Annual General Meeting): Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu holds an AGM each year (Hui-ā-Tau), open to all iwi members, to report on performance and elect/reset representatives. This often coincides with tribal strategy kōrero and is hosted at rotating marae in the Ngāi Tahu rohe.

• Hui-ā-Iwi (Tribal Festivals): Ngāi Tahu organises large whanau events known as Hui-ā-Iwi. These are typically held biennially – for example, Hui-ā-Iwi 2024 is scheduled as a multi-day festival of culture, education and kapa haka for Ngāi Tahu whānui. They feature workshops, exhibitions and an iwi “expo”, and serve as a major engagement between leadership and membership.

• Roadshows for Members: Te Rūnanga conducts roadshow events domestically and internationally (e.g. in Australia) to update and consult with Ngāi Tahu members living outside the tribal area. In 2023, for instance, a “Perth Roadshow” was held.

• Waitangi Day Commemorations: Ngāi Tahu hosts Waitangi Day events when commemorations are held in Te Waipounamu. In recent years, Ōnuku Marae (Akaroa) and other Ngāi Tahu marae have been sites for national Waitangi Day ceremonies, organised in partnership with the Crown. (Ōnuku, where Ngāi Tahu signed the Treaty in 1840, hosted the official 2021 Waitangi Day commemorations, with Ngāi Tahu providing logistics, cultural welcomes, and public open days.).

• Economic Summits and Stakeholder Forums: Ngāi Tahu Holdings periodically runs an Iwi Investor Day or economic summit for stakeholders and members, highlighting portfolio achievements. The iwi also convenes an annual Te Paiherenga hui with its Papatipu Rūnanga chairs and managers, and hosts wānanga (forums) on topics like freshwater and climate, often inviting government observers.

(These events, whether internal or public-facing, are central to Ngāi Tahu’s accountability and influence – providing platforms for communication, celebration of Ngāi Tahu identity, and discussion of political issues with members and officials.)

26. Political Donations:

• No public record of direct political party donations by Ngāi Tahu. Ngāi Tahu’s entities are registered charities (exempt from tax and constrained in political funding activity). The iwi’s strategy for influence has been through relationship-building and formal consultation rather than monetary contributions to parties. (Ngāi Tahu leaders have been present at political fundraisers and some individual members may donate in a personal capacity, but the organisation itself is not known to finance political campaigns.)

27. Controversies:

• Tax-Exempt Status Debate: Ngāi Tahu’s use of charitable structures for its substantial business operations has drawn criticism from some quarters. Commentators have questioned whether a billion-dollar enterprise should retain income-tax exemption – arguing this creates unfair advantages. A 2014 critique noted Ngāi Tahu’s “privileged” status allowed it to reinvest untaxed profits, raising issues of competitive neutrality and fairness. Ngāi Tahu defends that its profits ultimately fund tribal wellbeing, fitting its charitable purpose.

• Internal Governance Feuds: The tribe experienced high-profile internal conflict in the mid-2000s. In 2007, long-serving Kaiwhakahaere Sir Mark Solomon was reportedly offered a $300k severance package to step down amid factional board divisions – a move he rejected. This public power struggle (which saw Solomon eventually continue until 2016) revealed tensions between “corporate” and “whānau” governance perspectives. Earlier, in 2006, CEO Tahu Pōtiki’s resignation followed disagreements with governance – highlighting challenges in balancing commercial and cultural priorities.

• “Special Treatment” Political Backlash: Ngāi Tahu’s push for guaranteed council representation provoked controversy. In 2019, New Zealand First MPs blocked the Ngāi Tahu Representation Bill, calling the idea “separate seats” and “special treatment” for Māori that undermined democracy. NZ First’s Shane Jones labeled Ngāi Tahu “the most well-endowed, most powerful of all tribes” who didn’t need extra representation. The public debate around this bill at times painted Ngāi Tahu as seeking undemocratic influence (even though the arrangement was locally supported in Canterbury).

• Environmental Conflicts of Interest: Ngāi Tahu’s dual role as environmental kaitiaki and a commercial actor has been contentious in some instances. For example, Ngāi Tahu’s interests in South Island mining and irrigation were cited by critics as potential conflicts when the iwi secured seats on environmental decision-making bodies. Activist groups warned that Ngāi Tahu appointees on conservation boards or water management committees might favor tribal business interests. Ngāi Tahu refutes this, maintaining that its representatives uphold broader iwi environmental values, not just corporate aims.

• “Integrity” of Influence: Some right-wing lobby groups have accused Ngāi Tahu (and other large iwi) of leveraging Treaty partnerships to exert undue influence behind closed doors. They point to things like the secretive Iwi Leaders Group negotiations and assert that concepts such as “Treaty partnership” lack legal basis. Publications like NZCPR have regularly decried “race-based influence,” singling out Ngāi Tahu’s success in extracting concessions (e.g. water rights, co-governance) as setting what they consider problematic precedents. Ngāi Tahu, for its part, has dismissed such commentary as misinformed and insists it operates openly and for the benefit of all its people.

• Covid-19 Aid and Optics: During the pandemic, Ngāi Tahu’s businesses drew public scrutiny after receiving government Covid-19 support. Ngāi Tahu Holdings initially claimed ~$3.14 million in wage subsidies for its tourism companies, at a time when the iwi still reported significant asset wealth. Facing media and political pressure, Ngāi Tahu voluntarily repaid $2.4 million of those subsidies in 2021. While many lauded this repayment, some criticism arose that wealthy entities took subsidies in the first place. The iwi explained it did so to protect jobs, and repayment demonstrated good faith when those jobs could not be saved.

(Overall, despite these controversies, Ngāi Tahu has largely maintained a reputation as a prudent and forward-looking iwi organisation, though its prominence inevitably attracts public scrutiny.)

28. Other information of note:

• Wealth and Scale: Ngāi Tahu is acknowledged as the wealthiest iwi in New Zealand, with an asset base surpassing $2 billion. Twenty-five years on from its 1998 Treaty settlement ($170 million), the iwi has grown its assets roughly tenfold. This financial strength underpins its influence – enabling Ngāi Tahu to fund tribal programmes and also invest in long-term strategic ventures that often intersect with public policy (e.g. urban development, renewable energy).

• Distributions to Beneficiaries: Uniquely, Ngāi Tahu Holdings adheres to an annual distribution policy of around 4% of its asset equity to Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu for the benefit of iwi members. In 2024, for example, ~$84.6 million was distributed for education grants, cultural revitalisation (e.g. te reo initiatives), health and social programmes. This model balances commercial growth with social responsibility, but also places pressure on the group’s investment returns.

• Cultural Redress Assets: Ngāi Tahu holds significant cultural assets as a result of Treaty settlements – including pounamu (greenstone) rights, and ownership of tribal taonga sites. The iwi owns all South Island pounamu by law and manages its extraction and sale (Ngāi Tahu Pounamu) in a way that involves regulatory influence. Ngāi Tahu also has a unique arrangement over Aoraki/Mt Cook, which was vested to the iwi and gifted back to the nation – establishing a symbolic co-governance over the mountain. These cultural holdings sometimes require Ngāi Tahu to engage with government (for instance, to prevent unauthorized mining of pounamu or to exercise influence in National Park management plans).

• Leadership in Maori Economy: Ngāi Tahu’s executives are often thought leaders in the wider Māori economy. The iwi has piloted innovative schemes like Whai Rawa, a matched savings programme for Ngāi Tahu members (precursor to the NZ government’s KiwiSaver focus on Māori uptake). It also set up one of the first iwi philanthropic endowments. Ngāi Tahu regularly features in academic and policy research as a case study of post-settlement development. Its successes and challenges inform government approaches to Treaty settlements with other iwi.

• Influence in Regional Economy: In Te Waipounamu (South Island), Ngāi Tahu is a major regional player. It contributes an estimated $200+ million annually to the South Island economy through its operations and investments. The iwi has partnered with local authorities on infrastructure projects (for example, joint venture in Christchurch’s rebuild, and discussions on a wind farm in Southland). Such involvement means Ngāi Tahu often sits at the table for regional economic planning alongside government agencies and business leaders.

(In sum, Ngāi Tahu’s profile extends beyond typical “lobbyist” definitions – it is simultaneously a treaty partner, economic powerhouse, and community trust. These facets make it a uniquely influential entity in New Zealand’s socio-political landscape.)

29. Recipient of Wage Subsidy Scheme:

• Yes. Ngāi Tahu entities accessed the Government’s Covid-19 Wage Subsidy in 2020. Ngāi Tahu Holdings (primarily its Tourism division) received approximately NZ$3.14 million in wage subsidies to retain staff during pandemic lockdowns. In mid-2021, Ngāi Tahu announced it would repay NZ$2.41 million of that subsidy after reviewing its financial position. The iwi leadership stated this repayment was in line with its values given the group’s eventual resilience. Ngāi Tahu Tourism also separately received NZ$1.95 million in government grants under the Strategic Tourism Assets Protection Programme (not a wage subsidy but related support).

(The initial use of the wage subsidy, followed by a voluntary large repayment, was widely reported and positioned Ngāi Tahu as acting transparently during Covid-19 economic recovery.)

Spot anything in this entry that is wrong? Please either leave a comment at the end or email, in confidence: bryce@democracyproject.nz