Joe Pihema

Guest writer

Joe Pihema is a cultural leader of Ngāti Whātua and trustee of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua and Ngā Maunga Whakahii o Kaipara Development Trust. He is head of kaupapa Māori at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki and a member of Auckland Museum’s Taumata-ā-Iwi.

An aerial view of Maungawhau looking towards downtown Auckland, the whenua made available for the settlement of the city.

Tuku whenua: A day Aucklanders can come to know and share

A date few Aucklanders know, but is arguably the most important in the city's history.

By Joe Pihema | 18th September, 2026

September 18 is a hugely significant day for Auckland. (Photos: Getty / Design Archi Banal)

Happy Birthday Auckland – you can thank Ngāti Whātua for your gifts

People of central Auckland: September 18 is the day to look at your feet and honour Ngāti Whātua for sharing the land beneath them.

By Joe Pihema | 18th September, 2022

The waka Tāheretikitiki was gifted to Waikato rangatira King Tāwhiao by Ngāti Whātua rangatira Paora Tūhaere in the 1870s. A replica of Tāheretikitiki is still used by Waikato. (Photo: supplied)

Iwi and hapū are crucial to Auckland’s water resource management

A Ngāti Whātua historian on how the sharing of resources between Tāmaki Makaurau and Waikato goes back a very long way.

By Joe Pihema | 3rd July, 2020