Hikurangi Māori Wardens

Māori Wardens are an intrinsic part of our communities in Aotearoa New Zealand. They have been supporting whānau for over 150 years at a grassroots level and have well-established relationships that enable them to work closely with whānau, Māori organisations, community groups and government agencies.

Māori Wardens are not police, but they have legal responsibilities under the Māori Community Development Act 1962. Today there are approximately 900 Māori Wardens who volunteer their time to supporting others in our communities.

The strength of Māori Warden’s is their intimate knowledge of, and close connection to their local communities. The guiding principles of a Māori Warden is respect, awhi, aroha, and whānaungatanga. The values are:

Rangimarie (Peace)
Manaaki (Kindness)
Kōrero (Talking)
Whakaiti (Humility)
Tautoko (Support)
Pono (Honesty)

Our local Maori Wardens have a strong connection with the Hikurangi district and can often be found at our community events, local marae's, and where traffic control is required. Our wardens will always be in their uniform in public and if you are in need they encourage you to approach them to seek help or support. Our wardens can help vulnerable young and elderly, delivering food parcels, helping with transport in their van, helping with OSCAR programmes, and to help with security or supervision when required.

With 12 subs in Tai Tokerau, the Hikurangi Maori wardens with 12 members make up one of those subs. They are an official government entity and a registered charitable trust. There are monthly meetings for warranted Wardens and one annual national conference. The Maori Wardens encourage new members to come along, under 18's can attend with a current Warden, or anyone over the age of 18 years can attend independently. You must be 18 to become warranted. A police vet check will be required. The meetings are flexible and work around current members schedules, but are mostly at either 10am or 1pm. The location of the meeting will be advised upon contact but is usually based in Whakapara. In the last month the Wardens have attended 8 meetings or events within our community (aside from their own meeting). The Maori Warden's presence in our community is strong and essential.