The Tēkau-mā-rua ("The Twelve") is the official council of the Māori monarch of the Kīngitanga.
The council was originally established by King Tawhiao, who was inspired by the twelve apostles of Jesus, to assist in running the Kīngitanga. Members were initially only selected from rangatira within Tainui, and replaced when they died.
During her reign, Te Atairangikaahu did not appoint new members to the Tēkau-mā-rua. As a result, when Henare Tuwhangai, the last remaining member, died in 1989 the council went into recess.
In 2014, King Tuheitia re-established the Tēkau-mā-rua and expanded the membership to include rangatira from iwi from throughout New Zealand, not just Tainui. This included members selected by each of Te Kohanga Reo, the Māori Women's Welfare League and the Māori Council.
Its members are currently: NameTribal affiliation(s)Che Wilson (chairperson)Ngāti RangiPou TemaraTūhoeRikirangi GageTe Whānau-a-ApanuiPeeni HenareNgāti Hine, NgāpuhiHone HarawiraNgāti Hau, Ngāti Wai, Ngāti Hine, Te Aupōuri, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti WhātuaTe Kahautu MaxwellNgāi Tai, Ngāti Awa, Te Whānau a Apanui, Ngāti Porou, Tūhoe, Ngāti ManiapotoWharehoka WanoTe Ātiawa, Taranaki, Ngāti AwaSelwyn ParataNgāti PorouJerry HapukuNgāti KahungunuCompanion membersEdward Taihakurei DurieRangitāne, Ngāti Kauwhata, Ngāti RaukawaKahurangi Iritana TāwhiwhirangiNgāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu, NgāpuhiPrue KapuaTe Arawa
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