Ariki

[6] In particular, their "supreme rank [comes] from the conjunction of a number of senior descent lines from founding ancestors, and ultimately from the gods".

A modern example of a woman in this leadership role is Te Atairangikaahu (r. 1966–2006) the paramount head or Māori Queen of the Waikato federation of tribes.

[11] Many positions overlap, with ariki holding multiple roles, including "head of an iwi, the rangatira of a hapū and the kaumātua of a whānau".

Beneath each ariki in the social hierarchy were a number of mataiapo and rangatira (minor chiefs) of noble rank.

Scholars Ron Crocombe and Jon Tikivanotau Jonassen have argued that it was created to marginalize the ariki, giving them dignity but very limited power.