Nearly 900 Māori leaders, governors and decision-makers from across Aotearoa are coming together today for Amorangi: Māori in Governance Summit 2026, one of the country’s largest gatherings dedicated to strengthening Māori leadership, governance and decision-making.
Hosted by Tapuwae Roa, the summit sees 480 participants attending in person at Shed 6 in Wellington, with hundreds more joining virtually from throughout New Zealand in a hybrid event designed to ensure greater access to governance development.
The annual summit brings together Māori directors, trustees, chief executives, public sector leaders, board members and emerging governors to explore how Māori leadership can continue to evolve while remaining grounded in tikanga, whakapapa and collective responsibility.
This year’s Amorangi Summit is centred around five key kaupapa that organisers say reflect the opportunities and challenges facing Māori governance today:
- Mana Motuhake – strengthening Māori self-determination and leadership.
- Mātātoa – building resilience and courageous leadership.
- Taurite – creating balance in governance and decision-making.
- Kunenga – fostering innovation, transformation and new ways of thinking.
- Kotahitanga – reinforcing collective action and collaboration.
Together, the themes encourage participants to examine how Māori governance can respond to social, economic and political change while continuing to advance outcomes for whānau, hapū and iwi.
The programme features a strong line-up of Māori leaders from across the legal, academic, health, governance and political sectors.
Among this year’s speakers are Hon. Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, Chief Judge Caren Fox, Professor Rawinia Higgins, Mataroria Lyndon, and Erin Roxburgh, alongside experienced governors who will share practical insights into leadership across both Māori and mainstream organisations.
Sessions throughout the day explore governance capability, succession planning, leadership development and strategies for navigating increasingly complex governance environments.
Tapuwae Roa Kaihautū Te Pūoho Kātene says Amorangi is about far more than board meetings and organisational structures.
He says effective governance is built on relationships, accountability and a commitment to creating meaningful outcomes for Māori communities.
The hybrid format has been retained to ensure governors from every part of Aotearoa can participate regardless of location, recognising that travel to Wellington is not always possible.
Organisers say online participation helps remove geographic barriers while strengthening national networks among Māori governors.
The summit has continued to grow since its launch.
The inaugural online-only event in 2022 attracted more than 1,000 registrations, demonstrating significant demand for governance-focused professional development.
The 2024 hybrid summit welcomed 818 participants, including 333 attending in person and 485 joining online.
This year’s attendance of almost 900 participants reflects continued growth in interest as more Māori take on governance roles across iwi organisations, trusts, incorporations, public entities, charitable organisations and corporate boards.
For the first time, Amorangi 2026 has also received formal recognition from the Institute of Directors New Zealand (IoD).
Participants are eligible to receive five Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours, allowing governors to contribute towards their ongoing professional learning while engaging with kaupapa Māori governance.
The recognition reflects the increasing influence of Māori governance models within New Zealand’s wider governance landscape and acknowledges the value of Indigenous leadership approaches.
As Māori asset ownership, iwi investment and community organisations continue to grow, the demand for skilled governors has never been greater.
Many iwi and Māori organisations now oversee significant commercial portfolios while balancing cultural responsibilities, intergenerational aspirations and obligations to future descendants.
Events such as Amorangi aim to strengthen that capability by creating opportunities for experienced governors to share knowledge with emerging leaders.
Organisers say investing in governance capability today will help ensure Māori organisations remain resilient, innovative and accountable for generations to come.
With conversations spanning sovereignty, leadership, innovation and collective action, Amorangi continues to position itself as a key national forum for Māori governance.
For many attending, the summit is not simply about professional development—it is about strengthening the leadership needed to support whānau, hapū and iwi as they navigate the opportunities and challenges of the future.
Online registrations remain open through the Amorangi: Māori in Governance Summit website.
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