Population:

Ngāti Maru as an Iwi has largest poupalation within Pare Hauraki. Second in terms of the size of population within the Iwi is Ngāti Pāoa. There are 18 hapū of Ngāti Maru with the population of rougly 4700 people. Ngāti Te Aute, Naunau, Hauauru, Ngāti Kotinga are the primary hapū of Ngāti Maru. There are roughly 1000 people registered within the population of the hapū Ngāti Te Aute. These numbers are according to the census 2013. This estimate is not as accurate as hoped due to the inconsistency in the Māori data sourced for that census. Also many of our whanaunga overseas have not yet registered with the Ngāti Maru Rūnanga. These numbers decrease and increase as people pass and as people are born. Because most of our hapū were not raised within the haukāinga as we tend to align ourselves with our Ngāti Maru Iwi. Our challenge is to research and share stories of our ancestor Te Aute so all in the future will also register with our hapū Te Aute.

Distribution of the Hapū:

Our Watene family is one of many connected to this marae. Among the hapū are prominent whānau including the Gregories, Mores, Taipari, Watene and many others. There are representatives of all these families still living close by. The bulk of the uri of Ngāti Te Aute live beyond our sub tribal boundaries. However many of us are still within a couple of hours drive from Tāmaki Makaurau, Kirikiriroa, Tauranga, Paeroa and Rotorua. This allows to gather at the marae in times of need. This aligns with an old Hauraki saying "Mai Matakana ki Matakana", "Mai i a Mahurangi ki ngā kurī ā Whārei." Hauraki maintain an interest in the lands from Matakana in the north to Matakana island in the south. Despite the bulk of us not living at home a sense of connection remains strong. There are numerous references to our peoples occupation of these lands including dozens of reference point in the Tāmaki Makaurau region. There is increasing recognition of our historical connection to the whenua of Tāmaki and beyond.

As with many Māori families alot have decided to try their luck overseas. That is no different for Ngāti Te Aute and Ngāti Maru. While they are not physically present there remains and strong need for them to learn our tribal histories and richness of the lives of our tūpuna. They are an important consideration as we as an iwi chart a way forward.

With improvements in digital connectivity, we are now able to communicate with each other as never before. Digital platforms will be a vital tool to grow our capacity as an hapū and Iwi.