Story: Tribal organisation

Generations ago, canoes sailed by Māori ancestors set out from East Polynesia and landed in New Zealand. From these founding peoples came the iwi (tribes) that form the structure of Māori society. Within each iwi are many hapū (clans or descent groups), each of which is made up of one or more whānau (extended families). The bond that holds them together is one of kinship, both with a founding ancestor and with the many members of their iwi, hapū and whānau today.

Story by Rāwiri Taonui
Main image: Early 20th century painting of a family preparing food together

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What are iwi and hapū?


How iwi and hapū formed

Some tribal groups formed from links to the waka (canoe) on which their founding ancestor arrived in New Zealand from Hawaiki. For example, the Waikato tribes trace their descent from the Tainui waka. Others developed when the pressure on resources such as land and food became so great that some members had to move away and establish themselves elsewhere. War, migration and family infighting also caused new iwi or hapū to emerge.

Iwi and hapū are often named after an ancestor. For example, Ngāpuhi means ‘the people of Puhi’ and Te Uri-o-Rātā means ‘the descendants of Rātā’. Sometimes tribal names came from an important event that involved their ancestor, such as a battle.

Whānau – family

Each hapū is made up of whānau (extended families). Whānau included much-respected elders, adults, children and grandchildren. Everyone helped each other, working for the group and caring for each other’s children and the elderly.

Social groups

Each hapū was made up of different-ranking members, headed by chiefs called ariki and rangatira. First-born females also had high status. Experts in areas such as history and tradition, carving and healing were called tohunga. There were commoners and sometimes captives or slaves in each hapū.

Changes after European contact

After New Zealand became a British colony, the way that iwi and hapū functioned began to change. When the government bought or confiscated Māori land in the 19th century, tribes were dispersed. From the mid-20th century, when many younger people moved to the cities for greater work opportunities, tribal power was diminished. From the late 20th century, however, tribal organisations have worked to reconnect people with their tribal origins.

How to cite this page:

Rāwiri Taonui, 'Tribal organisation', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, (accessed 11 December 2019)

Story by Rāwiri Taonui, published 8 Feb 2005