Te Whakakitenga


Te 'Whakakitenga o Waikato is the governing council of the Waikato Tainui iwi in New Zealand. Members are elected for three year terms, with each of 68 marae electing two members.
The parliament was established by Tāwhiao of the Kīngitanga in 1889 or 1890 as
Te Kauhanganui'
.

Background

Te Whakakitenga was originally established at Maungakawa as Te Kauhangannui, located in the present day settlement of Te Miro, near Cambridge.
It was founded by Tāwhiao after his proposal to set up a pan-Māori parliament in New Zealand to complement the colonial legislative council was denied by Auckland authorities. The parliament's members consisted of appointed tribal delegates who advised Tāwhiao on policy and was used by him to communicate with his subjects.

Executive

The executive board of Te Whakakitenga is Te Arataura. This group consists of 10 members chosen by the parliament from amongst their members and 1 member chosen by the reigning Māori monarch.

Leadership

Chairperson

Te Arataura chairperson