Amorangi Summit Convenes in Wellington to Champion Tikanga-Led Governance

A significant gathering of Māori and non-Māori leaders is set to converge on Wellington’s Shed 6 this Wednesday, July 29, for Amorangi, the biennial Māori in Governance Summit. As reported by RNZ, the event aims to provide governors across Aotearoa with a deep understanding of tikanga-led governance and its application in both Māori and Pākehā leadership spaces. Hosted by the pan-Māori charitable trust Tapuwae Roa, the summit has seen a surge in popularity, with in-person attendance completely sold out. Te Pūoho Kātene (Ngāti Toarangatira, Ngāti Whātua, Ngāti Tama), Kaihautū of Tapuwae Roa, told RNZ that while approximately 450 people will attend in person, the inclusion of a hybrid model brings total expected participation to around 800 people. The programme features a diverse lineup of 10 speakers, including Te Pāti Māori MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, Waitangi Tribunal Chair Chief Judge Caren Fox, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Māori Rawinia Higgins, and Wellington Rugby Director Erin Roxburgh. Kātene emphasized that the summit promotes a style of governance where leaders do not have to sacrifice mātauranga Māori or tikanga to be effective, astute governors. He noted that incorporating tikanga serves as a vital foil against "short-termism" by ensuring decisions are made with future generations and the heart of the community in mind. He further described the concept of leadership authority as a responsibility to those who provide it, stating that mandate is not something owned, but rather "leased," with "rent due every day." First established through the Māori Fisheries Act in 2005, Tapuwae Roa designed Amorangi to be accessible to a wide range of participants, from professional directors on corporate boards to those serving on marae committees and iwi trusts. The 2026 summit serves as a platform to celebrate unique Māori values and the specific contributions they offer to the wider community and the national economy.