Some iwi across Aotearoa have been left out of official Stats NZ data, contributing to generations of descendants being unable to fully express their identity or access their history.
Ngāti Apakura, based in Rangiaowhia, is among those affected, having been absent from census data for generations despite its longstanding presence in the Waikato region.
The iwi is now working alongside Stats NZ to help reconnect descendants and rebuild a tribal record shaped by displacement.
Apakura Rūnanga Trust general manager Barlow Toi Anderson said registrations have increased significantly in recent months, but more work remains.
“E hoa, i taku tīmatanga i tēnei tūranga hei tumu whakahaere, neke atu i te 1200 ngā tāngata i rēhita ki te rēhitatanga o Ngāti Apakura. Nā, kua 10 marama ia, kua piki ake aua nama ki te 2000.”
Ngāti Apakura kaumātua Taiporotu Huata said the displacement of descendants is rooted in a history of land loss, including what has been described as the “great atrocities of Rangiaowhia”.
“Heoi anō, koirā pea, ko te kōrero nui pea kei roto i te waiata ‘e pā tō hau.’ Koirā i kōrerohia me kī ko te āhuatanga o te pāmamae o te iwi, o te rangatira rā ki te ngarohanga o te whenua, ki te ngarohanga hoki o te iwi.”
Ngāti Apakura history and whakapapa
Ngāti Apakura descends from the chieftainess Apakura, whose marriage to Whatihua helped unite the tribes of Te Arawa and Tainui.
The iwi is also remembered for its experience of land loss and invasion, which left it without whenua and with a reduced population.
On 21 February 1864, Ngāti Apakura and neighbouring iwi in Rangiaowhia were caught up in one of the most violent घटनाओं of the Waikato invasion.
British Crown forces attacked a church and surrounding homes, setting buildings alight while women, children and unarmed men were inside.
Accounts of the death toll vary. Official British records state 12 people were killed, while Ngāti Apakura maintains more than 100 deaths occurred.
Researcher and descendant Moepatu Borrell said uncovering this history has been deeply affecting.
“You ask me am I proud to be Apakura, I tell you first of all I’m sad because I think back to all of the secrets our old people had to keep, to keep us safe.
“Since I’ve been one of the researchers for these claims, and I came across a letter from Rihi Te Rauparaha de Thierry, who wrote to the commission of inquiries in the 1930’s, please destroy the letter we sent you we are being cruelly persecuted for having spoken out, have mercy on us, have mercy on our children.”
What data means for the iwi
Accurate data is critical for iwi providers to ensure whānau are counted and can access services across health, social and community sectors.
With limited historical records and census inclusion, Ngāti Apakura is now building that foundation.
More than 2000 members are registered through Apakura Rūnanga Trust, and Anderson said the partnership with Stats NZ will support further growth.
“Ko tā Tatauranga Aotearoa, he tauawhi i a mātou ki te mahi tahi kia āta kohikohi i aua raraunga, kia mahi tahi ki ō mātou huanga, o Waikato, o Raukawa, o Te Nehenehenui, kia āta mōhio mātou āe kei konei ō mātou uri, kei whea atu rānei, kia mōhio pū mātou me pēwhea te anga whakamua me kī.”
Roimata Timutimu of Te Kāhui Raraunga said up-to-date data is essential for iwi planning.
“It’s very difficult for them to really make strategic decisions for their iwi that have benefits for those uri across a number of sectors.”
Ngāti Apakura is also developing a reconciliation package, which is expected to include a historical account and a Crown apology.
