Ngāti Whakaue has a rich heritage as a proud and independent iwi, fiercely defending rangātiratanga over our tribal estate, waterways and natural resources including the abundant geothermal ngāwhā, puia and wai in accordance with our tikanga.

The relationship between Ngāti Whakaue and the Crown is premised by the Rotorua Township Agreement which is now more commonly known as the Fenton Agreement of 1880 and remains the cornerstone of our relationship with the Crown, the loyalty and support shown to the Crown, particularly during the two world wars of the last century. This bond was exemplified by the saying used by Ngāti Whakaue orators when addressing members of British Royalty and Governors General, ‘Ngāti Whakaue – he iwi piri pono ki te Karauna’.

Despite the generosity of Ngāti Whakaue, the insidious advent of colonisation from the mid-1800s saw the gradual but deliberate dismantling of Ngāti Whakaue tribal structures and rangatiratanga, as indeed was the case for other iwi.

The implementation of these Crown Acts, legislations and omissions not only saw the breakdown of tribal relationships via the imposed introduction of the Māori Land Court, but the systematic erosion of our estate, first by the effects of the 1880 Rotorua Township Agreement. The succeeding Thermal Springs Act 1881 followed more draconian methods under subsequent Native Land Courts, Public Works administration and the like.