Huaki “To bring to Light”
Edition 32
Friday, May 29, 2026
Ngāpuhi launches iwi led prototype following agreement with Oranga Tamariki After years of advocacy for iwi led solutions, Ngāpuhi has officially launched its Enabling Communities prototype following the signing of an agreement with Oranga Tamariki.
L
ed by Te Rōopu Whaiti, the kaupapa marks a significant step toward Ngāpuhi taking greater responsibility in shaping care, protection and whānau support responses for its own people. The launch, held on Friday 22 May, brought together iwi leadership, providers, community representatives and partner organisations to acknowledge the significance of the kaupapa and the work that now moves into implementation. The prototype focuses on strengthening pathways that keep mokopuna connected to their whānau, hapū, iwi and identity, while building local approaches grounded in whakapapa, tikanga and community leadership.
Te Runanga a Iwi o Ngāpuhi Chair Mane Tahere says “This kaupapa is about Ngāpuhi stepping further into solutions for our own people. For too long, our whānau have felt the impacts of systems designed away from our communities. This prototype creates space for approaches shaped by whakapapa, tikanga and the realities our whānau live every day.” For many whānau across Te Tai Tokerau, the impacts of care and protection and youth justice systems are not new. Today, more than 700 Ngāpuhi mokopuna remain in care and protection systems, while more than 150 entries into youth justice were recorded in the first six months of 2025 alone. These figures do not account for repeat entries.
Ngāpuhi leaders say those realities have reinforced the need for approaches designed closer to the communities they affect. The prototype aims to strengthen early intervention, improve whānau support and reduce pathways into state systems by creating more connected, responsive and whakapapa grounded approaches. The kaupapa also acknowledges the large number of Ngāpuhi living outside of tribal boundaries, with a focus on maintaining connection and strengthening relationships with whānau across Aotearoa.
Dr Moana Eruera, Chief Executive of Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services, says the launch represents an important shift toward solutions being led by the communities who know their people best. “The launch is significant, though the real importance will be seen in how this kaupapa is carried into practice for our whānau and mokopuna. The people closest to these realities often already know what support is needed. This prototype creates an opportunity to build approaches that are more connected to our communities and more reflective of who we are as Ngāpuhi.” Ngāpuhi were the second iwi in Aotearoa to sign a Strategic Partnership Agreement with the Crown. Despite this early leadership, iwi representatives say progress toward meaningful investment and iwi led delivery has taken years of sustained advocacy from Ngāpuhi leaders, providers and communities. The Enabling Communities prototype now lays foundations for Ngāpuhi to begin demonstrating what iwi led approaches can look like in practice, with providers and community groups working alongside iwi leadership to support implementation on the ground. Te Roopu Whaiti member Alva Pomare emphasises that “This launch is not the finish line. The work now moves into making sure these approaches genuinely support our whānau and create stronger futures for our mokopuna. That accountability sits with all of us involved in carrying this kaupapa forward.” While Friday’s launch marked a major milestone, leaders involved in the kaupapa acknowledged that the real work now begins through delivery and accountability to whānau and mokopuna. The next phase of the prototype will focus on putting these approaches into practice and ensuring they create meaningful, long term outcomes for Ngāpuhi communities.