We are inspired by the vision of Takarea Te Heuheu.

Our organisation traces its beginnings back to 1896 in Tokaanu

Tuhinga o mua. How it begins

To Māori, women are te whare tangata – the house of humanity – and are venerated for their ability to create life.

Many strong women have been prominent in Māori society and Takarea Te Heuheu was notable for her efforts during her time in the late 1800s. 

Maori women petitioned the government on land rights and argued for women’s suffrage along with their European counterparts, achieving this in 1893.

These women’s rights advocates, such as Meri Mangakāhia of Te Rarawa, Niniwa-i-te-rangi of Ngāti Kahungunu, Takarea Te Heuheu of Ngāti Tūwharetoa and Sophia Hērangi of Tūhourangi, also actively participated in the Kotahitanga movement, the Māori parliament.

They formed women’s committees and argued for the right of women to not only vote but also to stand for the Māori parliament, something they achieved in 1897.

The 1896  Kotahitanga Parliament meeting was at Tokaanu, Taupō and Maori from all across Aotearoa came to Tokaanu so Takarea helps build up her father's papakainga so that they could accommodate this big wedding.  At this gathering, Takarea Te Heuheu represented all the wahine of Ngāti Tūwharetoa.

Takarea kept the fires burning at Tokaanu. That is why she wanted to set up a support unit for all Hapu of Tokaanu. Under the terms of Te Tiriti O Waitangi Second Schedule - Article the Second which states.

Her Majesty the Queen of England confirms and guarantees to the Chiefs and Tribes of New Zealand and to the respective families and individuals thereof the full exclusive and undisturbed possession of their Lands and Estates Forests Fisheries and other properties which they may collectively or individually possess so long as it is their wish and desire to retain the same in their possession

Takarea was very frustrated with the inability of having their voices heard. Their Whenua (land) was getting taken off them and people were starving. Out of frustration, they raised their own funds to lobby the crown to be heard due to the stress her people faced. From 1896 to 1898 a number of letters were written to the crown.

These letters never reached the Queen of England but were kept by the Crown here in New Zealand and the archives and we now have a unique insight into her desires for all whanau.

Takarea Te Heuhue’s challenge to the crown
as outlined in her letters