Toitu te Tiriti

1. Business / Trading Name: Toitū Te Tiriti (officially registered as TOITU TE TIRITI LIMITED).

2. Company Number: 9276621 (New Zealand Companies Office registration number).

3. NZBN: 9429052349751 (New Zealand Business Number).

4. Entity Type: New Zealand Limited Company (limited liability company).

5. Business Classification: P821905 – Adult, community, and other education n.e.c. (industry code indicating community/educational activities).

6. Industry Category: Education & Training (specifically adult and community education).

7. Year Founded: 2024 (incorporated 16 September 2024). (The Toitū Te Tiriti movement itself began informally in late 2023 in response to political developments.)

8. Addresses: Registered Office & Service Address: Kiri Tamihere-Waititi, 10992 State Highway 35, Cape Runaway, Ōpōtiki 3199, New Zealand. (This rural Bay of Plenty address serves as the official contact location.)

9. Website URL: toitutetiriti.co.nz – Official website of Toitū Te Tiriti.

10. LinkedIn URL: No dedicated LinkedIn company page found. (Toitū Te Tiriti operates primarily via community networks and social media; no official LinkedIn presence has been identified.)

11. Company Hub NZ URL: https://www.companyhub.nz/companyDetails.cfm?nzbn=9429052349751. (The organisation is a registered company; basic company data is available on New Zealand company registry sites.)

12. NZ Companies Office URL: https://app.companiesoffice.govt.nz/companies/app/ui/pages/companies/9276621 (Public details can be accessed via the Companies Office, confirming registration and director.)

13. Social Media URLs: Facebook: facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554137380072 (Official Toitū Te Tiriti page with ~15k followers) ; Instagram: instagram.com/toitu_te_tiriti (active official Instagram account). (These platforms share updates, calls to action, and live coverage of events.)

14. Ultimate Holding Company: None. (Toitū Te Tiriti is not owned by any parent entity; it is an independent company with no holding company).

15. Key Shareholders: Dr Kiri Tamihere-Waititi – 100% shareholding (founder listed under her legal name “Christina Tamihere” as sole shareholder/director). (Kiri Tamihere-Waititi is the company’s sole proprietor, indicating full control of the entity.)

16. Leadership: Dr Kiri (Christine) Tamihere-Waititi – Founder and key leader (Māori clinical psychologist and activist). Eru Kapa-Kingi – Co-founder and public spokesperson (Māori rights advocate and law academic). (Tamihere-Waititi provides strategic leadership, while Kapa-Kingi has emerged as the movement’s prominent public face.)

17. Staff: Volunteer-driven structure. There are no known paid staff or formal employees. Key roles are filled by community volunteers and activists – for example, Eru Kapa-Kingi acts as spokesperson, and regional coordinators mobilise local supporters. (The organisation functions more as a grassroots movement than a staffed corporate entity.)

18. Staff with Previous Government Roles: None identified. (No core staff or leaders are former government officials. The key figures come from activist, academic or community backgrounds rather than the public service.) (However, the founders have close personal ties to political figure.)

19. Past Employees: Not applicable. (As a newly formed movement-oriented organisation, it has no record of former employees. Its operations are campaign-based rather than a traditional company with turnover of staff.)

20. Clients: Not applicable. (Toitū Te Tiriti is an advocacy collective, not a consultancy or service provider – it does not have “clients” in a commercial sense. Its constituency is the community of supporters and tangata whenua (indigenous people) it represents.)

21. Industries/Sectors Represented: The organisation represents Māori interests and Treaty of Waitangi advocacy across all sectors. (Its kaupapa (mission) is pan-sectorial: defending Māori rights in governance, health, education, environment, etc., rather than championing a particular industry. It speaks for Māori communities and allies concerned about Treaty rights in all domains.)

22. Publicly Disclosed Engagements: – Mass Submission Campaign (2024): Coordinated public submissions against the “Treaty Principles Bill”, contributing to a record ~23,000 submissions (over 88% opposed) to Parliament’s Justice Committee.

– Waitangi Day Mobilisation (Feb 2024): Organised presence at Waitangi Treaty Grounds, with supporters holding “Toitū Te Tiriti” banners during official proceedings.

– Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti – Nationwide Protest March (Nov 2024): Led a 9-day protest march the length of the North Island, culminating in a rally of ~42,000 people at Parliament on 19 Nov 2024. (Police and media described it as one of the largest Māori rights demonstrations in NZ history.)

– Waitangi Tribunal Claim (2025): Filed an urgent claim (Wai 3379) with the Waitangi Tribunal in Jan 2025, alleging the Government’s Regulatory Standards Bill breaches Te Tiriti o Waitangi. The Tribunal granted urgency and hearings were held, where Toitū Te Tiriti’s legal counsel represented over 13,000 named Māori claimants.

– Select Committee & Parliamentary Engagement: Representatives (including kaumātua and experts allied with the movement) gave oral evidence in Parliament and Tribunal processes, amplifying Māori opposition to proposed law changes. (The organisation’s engagements have been highly public and confrontational, focusing on mass mobilisation and formal legal challenges.)

23. Affiliations: – Te Pāti Māori: Strong informal affiliation via leadership (the movement’s founder is the daughter of Māori Party President John Tamihere and wife of Māori Party Co-Leader Rawiri Waititi). The Māori Party’s rhetoric and the movement’s aims are closely aligned, though Toitū Te Tiriti positions itself as a non-partisan public movement.

– Te Tiriti Alliance Groups: Collaborates with like-minded advocacy groups. For example, it has worked alongside the Te Tiriti Action Group and community organisations to share resources during protests. The “Together for Te Tiriti” coalition (supported by ActionStation) provided promotional materials (posters, placards) in support of Toitū Te Tiriti’s campaign.

– National Iwi Chairs Forum: While not formally part of Toitū Te Tiriti, the influential iwi leaders’ forum has shared common cause in opposing the government’s Treaty stance. (The Iwi Chairs Forum participated as an interested party in the Tribunal inquiry alongside Toitū Te Tiriti’s claim.)

– Community & Marae Networks: Toitū Te Tiriti is deeply connected with hapū and iwi networks. Regional activations were hosted by local marae (e.g. Te Poho-o-Rāwiri Marae in Gisborne for Waitangi Day events), indicating grass-roots Māori community affiliation.

24. Sponsorships / Collaborations: – ActionStation / “Together for Te Tiriti”: Collaboration with ActionStation (a prominent civil society group) which launched the Together for Te Tiriti campaign in solidarity. This provided material support (designs, printing) and helped amplify Toitū Te Tiriti’s message among non-Māori allies.

– For Purpose (NZ community sector network): Co-hosted educational events such as a November 2024 “Lunch and Learn” webinar about countering hate and preparing for a potential Treaty referendum. (This indicates Toitū Te Tiriti’s cooperation with social sector organisations to build capacity and public understanding.)

– Merchandise Partnerships: The movement collaborated with Māori designers and businesses to produce Toitū Te Tiriti apparel (t-shirts, etc.) to fundraise. Notably, Maimoa Creative provided a free design template for supporters. (There are no major corporate sponsorships; collaborations are principally with advocacy groups and Māori creatives in line with the kaupapa.)

25. Events (Organised by Toitū Te Tiriti): – 5 December 2023 – Nationwide Protest Day: Inception event where simultaneous hīkoi (marches) occurred across multiple towns after a rapid social media call-to-action by Kiri Tamihere-Waititi. Despite only days’ notice, Māori communities mobilised around the country, signaling the start of the Toitū Te Tiriti movement.

– 6 February 2024 – Waitangi Day Flag Activations: Toitū Te Tiriti supporters organised gatherings at Waitangi and other locations on Waitangi Day. In Wellington, the group’s flag was raised (e.g. at Wellington Museum) to mark the Treaty anniversary, drawing both support and controversy.

– 11–19 November 2024 – Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti: A major multi-day protest march from Te Rerenga Wairua (Cape Reinga) to Wellington. Each day saw travelling demonstrations through towns and cities, with a final day march on 19 Nov that packed out central Wellington with tens of thousands of participants. This event was organised by Toitū Te Tiriti as a direct response to the government’s Treaty Principles Bill, and included formal ceremonies (karakia, haka) upon reaching Parliament.

– Ongoing Wānanga and Hui (2024–25): The movement has convened various wānanga (workshops) and hui (meetings) to educate and strategise. These include community teach-ins on Te Tiriti, constitutional kōrero (discussions), and debriefs after major events (often held on marae or via online forums). (Such events are typically announced via the group’s social media and email newsletters.)

26. Political Donations: No known political donations by the organisation. (Toitū Te Tiriti is a cause-based movement, not a corporate donor. It has not appeared in New Zealand Electoral Commission registers of donors to political parties. On the contrary, its key figures are politically aligned in their personal capacity with Te Pāti Māori, but the organisation itself does not contribute funds to parties.)

27. Controversies: – Incendiary Rhetoric: In May 2024, co-founder Kiri Tamihere-Waititi drew criticism for a profanity-laden video urging Māori to “overthrow” the Government. This social media rant, which framed the Government as “launching an all-out attack” on Māori, prompted New Zealand Police to assess if any offences occurred. The NZ Security Intelligence Service also acknowledged monitoring such “extremist rhetoric” online. The video fueled debate, with some commentators labeling it dangerous incitement and opponents of Toitū Te Tiriti citing it as evidence of “radical extremism” among the movement’s leaders.

– Museum Flag Row: In 2025, Wellington Museum’s decision to fly a Toitū Te Tiriti flag on a civic building sparked controversy. ACT Party leader David Seymour publicly condemned the museum for displaying what he saw as a partisan activist banner, accusing staff of being “hijacked” by political agendas. (Wellington’s Mayor, by contrast, defended the flag as recognising the mana of the Treaty.) This incident highlighted tensions over the movement’s visibility in public institutions.

– Astroturfing Allegations: Critics on social media and the political right have accused Toitū Te Tiriti of obscuring its partisan links. Revelations that the movement is a registered company controlled by Rawiri Waititi’s wife (and John Tamihere’s daughter) led to claims of “hidden agendas” – some detractors suggest the movement is essentially “Te Pāti Māori in disguise” rather than a truly spontaneous grassroots uprising. These allegations were amplified by right-wing bloggers and commentators, though the organisers maintain the kaupapa is inclusive and not owned by any party.

– Scams & Imitations: The popularity of Toitū Te Tiriti merchandise led to opportunistic scams. In early 2024, a fraudulent website mimicked the movement’s apparel store to steal money. Māori designer Aroha Tamihana (who provided free Treaty-themed art) had her designs ripped off by scammers, who threatened her when confronted. The scam was shut down within days, but it underscored the movement’s rapid rise as a cultural brand – and the risk of exploitation that came with it.

28. Other Information of Note (Media & Public Profile): Toitū Te Tiriti has swiftly attained a high public profile in New Zealand. The movement’s slogan (“Toitū te Tiriti” meaning “Uphold the Treaty”) has become a rallying cry in protests and public discourse. Major media outlets closely covered its activities – from RNZ and TVNZ 1News reporting tens of thousands at the 2024 hīkoi, to international coverage like The Guardian highlighting Eru Kapa-Kingi as leader of NZ’s largest Māori rights march. The group has effectively used social media to engage younger Māori; its Facebook page gathered over 15,000 followers within months and its messages (often delivered bilingually in Māori and English) resonate widely. Political figures have acknowledged Toitū Te Tiriti’s impact – for example, Green MP Marama Davidson noted in Parliament that public submissions sent “one clear message: Toitū Te Tiriti” in opposition to the government’s bill. The movement has also faced harsh criticism from opponents (with ACT’s leader comparing some of its rhetoric to “hate speech” and lobby groups like Hobson’s Pledge accusing it of rejecting government authority), fueling a national conversation about the line between passionate advocacy and extremist language. Overall, Toitū Te Tiriti has established itself as a prominent voice on Treaty issues within a very short time, commanding significant media attention and public engagement.

29. Recipient of Wage Subsidy Scheme: No. Toitū Te Tiriti did not receive any COVID-19 wage subsidies. (The entity was formed in late 2024, after New Zealand’s 2020–21 Wage Subsidy Scheme period. A search of the public subsidy registers shows no record of “Toitū Te Tiriti” as a recipient. Thus, it had no involvement in the wage subsidy programme.)

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Sources

1. TOITU TE TIRITI LIMITED, New Zealand Business Directory, https://www.nzwao.com/companies/toitu-te-tiriti-limited/

2. Scammers target Toitū te Tiriti movement: ‘They don’t really care where they get the money from’, RNZ News (Te Ao Māori), 6 Mar 2024, https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/510954/scammers-target-toitu-te-tiriti-movement-they-don-t-really-care-where-they-get-the-money-from

3. Toitū Te Tiriti (personal perspective article), Gizzy Local, Dec 2023, https://www.gizzylocal.com/post/toitu-te-tiriti

4. Toitū te Tiriti file urgent Waitangi Tribunal claim on Regulatory Standards Bill, RNZ News, 29 Jan 2025, https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/540298/toitu-te-tiriti-file-urgent-waitangi-tribunal-claim-on-regulatory-standards-bill

5. Toitū te Tiriti lawyer speaks on behalf of 13,000+ in Regulatory Standards bill hearing, Te Ao Māori News, 14 May 2025, https://www.teaonews.co.nz/2025/05/14/toitu-te-tiriti-lawyer-speaks-on-behalf-of-13000-in-regulatory-standards-bill-hearing/

6. Wellington Museum defends flying Toitū Te Tiriti branded flag to mark Treaty anniversary, NZ Herald/Newstalk ZB, 2 May 2025, https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellington-museum-defends-flying-toitu-te-tiriti-branded-flag-to-mark-treaty-anniversary/LBYIEYMMMFESDCRGWL6VERJXGI/

7. Tens of thousands take part as Hīkoi mō te Tiriti reaches Parliament, 1News (TVNZ), 19 Nov 2024, https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/11/19/tens-of-thousands-take-part-as-hikoi-mo-te-tiriti-reaches-parliament/

8. ‘We’re not going away’: the man who led NZ’s biggest Māori rights march vows to fight on, The Guardian (Eva Corlett), 5 Dec 2024, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/05/eru-kapa-kingi-new-zealand-maori-hikoi-protest-treaty

9. Rawiri Waititi’s wife under scrutiny for expletive-laden social media video, Chris Lynch Media, 31 May 2024, https://www.chrislynchmedia.com/news-items/rawiri-waititis-wife-under-scrutiny-for-expletive-laden-social-media-video/

10. Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill — Second Reading (Hansard transcript), New Zealand Parliament, 10 Apr 2025, https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/combined/HansDeb_20250410_20250410_28

11. Facebook post (public group) revealing Toitū Te Tiriti Ltd’s director/shareholder, Facebook.com (via The Daily), Nov 2024【Screenshot】. (This social media post noted that “Christina (Kiri) Tamihere” – Rawiri Waititi’s wife – is the 100% shareholder of Toitū Te Tiriti Ltd, highlighting the movement’s family link.)

12. Rawiri Waititi – Wikipedia (family details section), Wikipedia.org, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rawiri_Waititi

13. #ToitūTeTiriti – Social media commentary, Hobson’s Pledge & others, 2024–25【Compiled】. (Online commentary by lobby groups and bloggers accusing Toitū Te Tiriti of extremist rhetoric and partisan motives, often citing Kiri Tamihere-Waititi’s statements.)

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