Ngāi Tahu

Ngāi Tahu, or Kāi Tahu, is the principal Māori iwi (tribe) of the southern region of New Zealand, with its tribal authority, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu (sometimes known as TRoNT), based in Christchurch and Invercargill. The iwi combines three groups, Kāi Tahu itself, and Waitaha and Kāti Mamoe who lived in the South Island prior to the arrival of Kāi Tāhu. The five primary hapū of the three combined groups are Kāti Kurī, Ngāti Irakehu, Kāti Huirapa, Ngāi Tūāhuriri and Ngāi Te Ruakihikihi. (Some people claim explicit descent from one or both of Waitaha and Kāti Mamoe whānui, often in conjunction with Kāi Tahu. However, others argue that due to conflict and intermarriage these groups have become incorporated into Kāi Tahu, and are no longer distinct.)

The iwi's takiwā (tribal area), the largest in New Zealand, extends from Kaikoura in the north to Stewart Island / Rakiura in the south, and includes the West Coast area, Tai Poutini. Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu comprises 18 rūnanga/rūnaka (councils) representing geographical areas, generally corresponding to traditional settlements.