Māori Profile

In 2023, the Māori population of Aotearoa was 978,246. In 2018, it was 869,850 and in 2013, the total Māori population was 668,721. This is an increase of 12.5% for the total Māori population since 2018.

Click here to download Census 2023: Tāmaki Makaurau Data

The Tāmaki Makaurau region, as it relates to the operations of Auckland Council, extends from Te Hana in the north to Waiuku in the south and includes the islands in the Hauraki Gulf. The Auckland Council boundary is an overlay over traditional tribal boundaries.

Key Statistics

Mana Whenua

Mana Whenua are Māori with ancestral relationships in certain areas in Tāmaki Makaurau where they exercise customary authority. The tribe's history and legends are based in the lands they have occupied over generations and the land provides the sustenance for the people and to provide hospitality for guests. Auckland Council recognises 19 tribal authorities as representing mana whenua interests in Auckland.

There are over 70 marae in the Tāmaki Makaurau region.

Marae are institutions vital to Māori culture. They are used for tangihanga, hui, and wānanga as well as civic events, welcoming visiting dignitaries, celebrations and commemorations, legal and state hearings, and tourism. Iwi and hapū have well-established marae on their lands within the region while other marae are built in schools, tertiary education institutions, a naval base, and local communities.

Mātāwaka

Mātāwaka are Māori living in the Auckland region who are not in a Mana Whenua group. There are many mātāwaka groups within the Tāmaki Makaurau region including Urban Authorities which were established to represent multiple tribes who migrated to Auckland.

The 1980’s saw an influx of Māori from many regions around the country and as a result, two Urban Authorities have been established to represent their interests in Tāmaki Makaurau. There are also other organisations which provide services to mainly Māori clientele, e.g Māori Health Organisations, Education, Sport and Recreation etc.

URBAN AUTHORITIES

Tribal Groups and Authorites