We are the hereditary chiefs and chiefs of tribes who have been selected to participate in decision making for the for local hapu, regional, and national wakaminenga. Our key role is to act as a ethical decision makers with respect to Article 3 of our Constitution - He Wakaputanga o Te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tireni 1835 ( Proclamation of Independence 1835).
Appart from Ariki and Rangatira, also included in the Confederation of Chiefs of the United Tribes of New Zealand, are also have kaiawhina that hold talents or skills that are able to be called on for monitoring, analysis, reporting, and implementation of decisions we make.
If your hapu or whanau have proclaimed themselves under He Wakaputanga o Te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tireni, you can nominate chiefs towards entering the Confederation of Chiefs based on these criteria either (1) hereditary chief; (2) Chief of a tribe (hapu), or (3) tohunga with talents in these areas whakapapa, tikanga, ture, culture, arts, science, history, economics, analysis, computing, health, rongoa, education, social science, leadership, management, administration, politics, planning, diplomacy, languages.
These chiefs will then go through an interview, and screening and training for ethical conduct before they enter into the Confederation of Chiefs and in the participation of Wakaminenga.
In order to maintain order within the Wakaminenga, chiefs are required to meet a high standard of ethical behaviour in order to firstly operate as a functioning wakaminenga, but also to prevent injustices to hapu whanau and other people. All chiefs will be given a Code of Ethical Conduct, and participate in wananga for self improvement and development.
Email us here: chiefs@govt.maori.nz