Between Ngā Whare Ariki (Paramount Chieftainship Houses)
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FOUNDING STATEMENT OF BEING
We, the undersigned Whare Ariki, gathered at KŌPŪ ARIKI HUI (Gathering of Ariki) 2026 in Aotearoa, Te Ika ā Māui, do hereby establish this Te Kōtahitanga Charter of Alliance, Mutual Support, and Good Faith.
This Charter is entered into freely, voluntarily, and in the spirit of honour, friendship, respect, reciprocity, and cooperation.
The participating Whare Ariki recognise one another as independent entities possessing their own mana, authority, spirituality, traditions, responsibilities, histories, customs, and aspirations.
No Whare Ariki stands above another.
All participating Whare Ariki enter Te Kōtahitanga Alliance as equals.
This Charter exists to strengthen relationships, encourage cooperation, preserve cultural continuity, support future generations, and provide a foundation for enduring goodwill amongst the participating Whare Ariki.
From Taihoronukurangi; the spiritual heavens above, to Te Paparahi the deepest part of the ocean below, and everything in between. We are its Poutiriao - guardians.
The Charter also exists to create Kōtahitanga — Unity within Ngā Whare Ariki. (Spiritual & Physical Paramount Chieftainship Houses).
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ARTICLE I EQUALITY OF WHARE ARIKI
1.1 All Whare Ariki are equal in standing within this Alliance.
1.2 No Whare Ariki shall exercise authority over another Whare Ariki by virtue of this Charter.
1.3 Membership within this Alliance shall not diminish the autonomy, authority, dignity, or standing of any participating Ariki and Whare Ariki.
1.4 Every Whare Ariki possesses equal voice and equal standing in matters concerning this Alliance.
1.5 The Alliance recognises the distinct traditions, customs, and protocols of each participating Whare Ariki.
1.6 All languages, verbal or non-verbal, are accepted by all Whare Ariki.
1.7 IO is the supreme spiritual foundation of all Whare Ariki, yet all Whare Ariki are open to all spiritual houses within our multi-dimensional IO-verse.
Each Whare Ariki is able to select their own Spiritual Foundation and live by it within their Whare.
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ARTICLE II PURPOSE OF THE ALLIANCE
2.1 The purpose of this Alliance is:
• To strengthen relationships between Whare Ariki in Aotearoa, Te Moana Nui a Kiwa, Te Ao Marama and Ngā Rangitūhaha - The Natural Living Multi-Dimensional IO-Verse.
• To encourage cooperation and goodwill.
• To support one another when reasonably able.
• To preserve and share knowledge.
• To foster intergenerational continuity.
• To strengthen cultural, educational, ceremonial, and community initiatives.
• To maintain a forum for dialogue and mutual understanding between all Whare Ariki
2.2 This Alliance exists for peaceful and constructive purposes.
2.3 This Alliance exists for the mutual benefit of participating Whare Ariki and future generations.
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ARTICLE III MUTUAL SUPPORT
3.1 Each Whare Ariki agrees to provide support to fellow Whare Ariki when requested, and when reasonably able to do so.
3.2 Such support may include
• Cultural support
• Ceremonial support
• Educational support
• Organisational support
• Welfare support
• Mediation and guidance
• Representation at significant occasions
• Knowledge sharing
• Other forms of assistance mutually agreed upon
3.3 No Whare Ariki shall be obligated beyond its available resources, capacity, or circumstances.
3.4 All support provided under this Charter shall be voluntary.
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ARTICLE IV GOOD FAITH AND RELATIONSHIPS
4.1 The participating Whare Ariki agree to maintain relationships founded upon:
• Respect
• Honour
• Integrity
• Reciprocity
• Good Faith
• Open Communication
• Mutual Trust
4.2 Differences of opinion shall be approached respectfully.
4.3 Every reasonable effort shall be made to resolve disagreements through dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect.
4.4 The dignity, mana, reputation, and standing of every participating Whare Ariki shall be respected.
4.5 No participating Whare Ariki shall intentionally undermine another participating Whare Ariki.
4.6 Each Whare Ariki is never obligated to agree with any discussion and may choose the right to abstain
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ARTICLE V AUTONOMY
5.1 Nothing within this Charter diminishes the authority, independence, autonomy, customs, traditions, protocols, or internal governance of any participating Whare Ariki.
5.2 Each Whare Ariki remains solely responsible for its own affairs.
5.3 This Charter establishes cooperation rather than governance.
5.4 No decision of the Alliance shall override the authority of a participating Whare Ariki over its own affairs.
5.5 No Whare Ariki shall exercise authority over another by virtue of membership within this Alliance.
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ARTICLE VI ANNUAL GATHERINGS
6.1 All participating Whare Ariki shall endeavour to gather through KŌPŪ ARIKI (Ariki Gatherings) at intervals determined by mutual agreement. Minimum once a year.
6.2 Hosting responsibilities may rotate between participating Whare Ariki.
6.3 Future hosts shall be selected through consensus.
6.4 Gatherings shall provide opportunities to:
• Share developments
• Exchange knowledge
• Strengthen relationships
• Discuss future aspirations
• Celebrate achievements
• Encourage future generations
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ARTICLE VII DELEGATIONS & REPRESENTATIVES
7.1 Each Whare Ariki possesses the right to appoint its own delegation.
7.2 Delegations may include:
• Arikinui - Paramount Chief (male or female)
• Pūkōrero - Offical Master Of Ceremony
• Tohunga - Spiritual Advisers
• Rangatira - Senior Cheif Administrator
• Poutiriao - Protectorate
• Whānau - Membership
• Rūnanga - Advisers
• Delegates - Representatives
7.3 All participating Whare Ariki agree to recognise and respect the appointed representatives of fellow Whare Ariki.
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ARTICLE VIII MEMBERSHIP
8.1 Participating Whare Ariki may include recognised Whare, allied institutions, and participating entities accepted through mutual agreement.
8.2 Additional Whare Ariki may be invited to join this Alliance through unanimous agreement of the participating Arikinui.
8.3 Admission of new participants shall not diminish the standing of existing participants.
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ARTICLE IX AMENDMENT, WITHDRAWAL, AND PROTECTION OF THE CHARTER
9.1 Any participating Whare Ariki may withdraw from this Charter at any time by providing written notice and clear reasons why out of respect to the other participating Whare Ariki.
9.2 Withdrawal shall not diminish the mana, authority, dignity, standing, or autonomy of the withdrawing Whare Ariki.
9.3 This Charter is collectively held by all signatory Whare Ariki and shall not be altered, amended, rewritten, diminished, suspended, or replaced without the unanimous agreement of all participating Arikinui.
9.4 No amendment, alteration, addition, deletion, revision, interpretation, or modification of this Charter shall be recognised unless every participating Arikinui has been consulted and has provided their explicit agreement.
9.5 The absence of unanimous agreement shall result in the proposed amendment being declined.
9.6 Any approved amendment shall be recorded in writing and appended to this Charter as an official amendment.
9.7 No amendment may diminish:
• The equality of the Whare Ariki
• The autonomy of the Whare Ariki
• The authority of the Arikinui
• The voluntary nature of participation
• The non-political nature of the Alliance
• The right of withdrawal
9.8 The founding principles contained within Articles I, V, VIII, IX, and X shall be regarded as protected provisions of this Charter and may only be amended through unanimous agreement of all participating Arikinui and their Whare Ariki
9.9 The Charter shall remain in force for so long as two or more participating Whare Ariki continue to recognise and uphold its provisions.
9.10 This Charter shall be interpreted according to its plain meaning, its spirit of goodwill, and its purpose of fostering cooperation, mutual respect, and enduring relationships between Whare Ariki.
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ARTICLE X NON-POLITICAL NATURE OF THE ALLIANCE
10.1 This Alliance is non-political in nature.
10.2 This Charter does not establish a political party, political authority, political organisation, political government, or political representation.
10.3 The purpose of this Alliance is to foster:
• Relationships
• Cultural continuity
• Knowledge sharing
• Ceremonial cooperation
• Mutual support
• Fellowship
• Intergenerational wellbeing
10.4 Nothing within this Charter authorises any participating Whare Ariki to speak on behalf of another Whare Ariki without their expressed permission.
10.5 Membership within this Alliance does not diminish the independence, autonomy, authority, or distinct identity of any participating Whare Ariki.
10.6 This Alliance exists for the benefit of present and future inter-generational purposes, and shall be guided by goodwill, honour, respect, reciprocity, and mutual support.
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