Mauao Trust

Mauao Trust hold title to the ancestral mountain, Mauao, on behalf of the three main iwi of Tauranga Moana - Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui and Ngāti Pūkenga.

In 2007, the three principal iwi of Tauranga Moana—Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui, and Ngāti Pūkenga—successfully reclaimed ownership of Mauao from the Crown, returning the maunga to iwi stewardship.

The following year, the Mauao Historic Reserve Vesting Act 2008 was enacted, formally establishing Mauao Trust to hold title to Mauao on behalf of the iwi. Under this legislation, Tauranga City Council retained its role as the administrative authority.

In 2013, Mauao Trust and Tauranga City Council signed a Memorandum of Understanding, forming a joint-administrative board known as Ngā Poutiriāo ō Mauao.

This partnership continues to guide the care and management of Mauao, shaping the experience enjoyed by all who visit the maunga today.

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

Mauao Trust developed a 2021-2031 strategic plan - He Korowai Ariki o Mauao - with strategies to uphold the mana and mauri of Mauao through improving his holistic health and well-being. And just recently, the Te Whatu Korowai Ariki Implementation Plan 2025-2026 was borne, and first-year projects initiated.

OUR TRUSTEES

The Mauao Trust board governing Mauao are made up of two representatives from each iwi – he tāne, he wahine. Reps are elected by their respective iwi rūnanga.

Our current Trustees are:

Matemoana McDonald (Chairperson) representing Ngāti Ranginui

Tamati Tata representing Ngāti Ranginui

Jack Thatcher representing Ngai Te Rangi

Kerewai Wanakore representing Ngāi Te Rangi

John Ohia representing Ngāti Pūkenga

Rahera Ohia representing Ngāti Pūkenga

NGĀ POUTIRIĀO O MAUAO

Ngā Poutiriāo o Mauao is the joint-administrative board made up of both iwi and council members. Waitaha-ā-Hei is an iwi of great significance to Mauao, and that is acknowledged here. Four iwi members, one of each iwi including Waitaha, are elected by Mauao Trust, and four council members are elected by council.

The current board members are:

Dean Flavell (Chair) representing Ngāti Pūkenga

Takiri Butler representing Ngāi Te Rangi

Kylie Willison representing Ngāti Ranginui

Josh Te Kani representing Waitaha-ā-Hei

Cr Hautapu Baker representing TCC

Cr Hemi Rolleston representing TCC

Cr Jen Scoular representing TCC

Cr Rod Taylor representing TCC

FOUNDING TRUSTEES OF MAUAO TRUST

Kihi Ngatai

Ngaroimata Cavill

Morehu Ngatoko

Rangiwhakaehu Walker

Rereamomo Monty Ohia

Shane Ashby

CLICK HERE to view the Mauao Trust Deed 2007