National Iwi Chairs Forum

[1][2] The National Iwi Chairs Forum was formed in 2005 with the aim of increasing mana motuhake, or autonomy and self-governance, and held its first meeting at Takahanga Marae in Kaikōura in November 2005.

[3] In 2023, people at the leadership of the Forum included Margaret Mutu, Te Huia Bill Hamilton, Naida Glavish, Lorraine Toki, Kirikowhai Mikaere, Maxine Graham, Pahia Turia, Te Mauri Kingi, Tania Blyth-Williams, Selwyn Parata, Tina Porou, Rukumoana Schaafhausen, Donna Flavell, Mike Smith, Lisa Tumahai, Hinekaa Mako and Mike Neho.

[12] Ward Kamo of Ngāi Tahu has suggested that this difference in treatment may have been due to the role of Te Pāti Māori in the earlier National government.

[13] In 2022 the Forum reported that there were many positive developments in their relationship with the Crown, including the Iwi Housing Prototype and the Whenua Māori initiatives.

Bill English, the minister responsible for Housing New Zealand at the time, would not commit to a moratorium but said his ministry remained in contact with the Iwi Chairs.

[18] In December 2024, the Forum wrote an open letter to King Charles III requesting that he intervene in New Zealand politics to address the Sixth National Government's alleged breaches of promises made to Māori under the Treaty of Waitangi.