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Auckland Council The Auckland Plan

Te whakamāramatanga o te tuakiri me te oranga tonutanga Māori

Māori identity and wellbeing explained

A sketch showing Auckland with a strong Māori identity. It includes a waka in the Auckland harbour, an archway in Aotea square, Māori culture and identity is celebrated by Aucklanders and is our point of difference in the world. It brings visitors to our shore, attracts investment, and builds a sense of belonging and pride.

Auckland embraces its uniqueness founded on te Tiriti o Waitangi and shaped by its Māori history and presence.

Te Tiriti recognises the rangatiratanga of Auckland's hapū and iwi, and the inseparable bond between people and place.

Māori, the indigenous people of Aotearoa New Zealand have lived in Tāmaki Makaurau for over 1000 years.

Today, the population of Māori in Tāmaki Makaurau is diverse and dynamic. They comprise nearly 12 per cent of Auckland's population, and number around 180,000 people, which made up of 24 per cent of Māori population in Aotearoa. Over half are under 25 years and nearly a third under 15 years.

A significant proportion of Māori, however, are not benefitting from Auckland's success.

Māori living in Auckland are:

  • the hapū and iwi of Tāmaki Makaurau, known as mana whenua, or
  • those who are not in a Tāmaki Makaurau mana whenua group, known as mataawaka.

There are 19 mana whenua iwi in Tāmaki Makaurau whose interests and rohe overlap, and make up around 15 per cent of Auckland's Māori.

See the interactive map for the mana whenua locations and read more about the iwi of Tāmaki Makaurau. You can zoom into areas of the map (originally published June 2018) and click on the icons for more information.

Māori continue to be important to Auckland's success, and successful outcomes can be achieved when we create opportunities for:

  • Māori self-determination and expression
  • shared efforts between Māori and with others
  • the integration of Māori values into planning, decision-making and delivery.

The strengths and contributions Māori bring to Auckland will fuel growth and advance Māori social, cultural, economic and environmental wellbeing.

How we will measure progress

We will track progress against a set of measures.

The measures for this outcome are:

  • Whānau wellbeing
  • Māori in employment, education and training
  • Māori decision making
  • Te reo Māori across Tāmaki Makaurau.

Related information