Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services
Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services is a Kaikohe-based non-profit iwi social services organisation delivering whakapapa-centred care and protection, youth justice, family court, food security, and cultural programmes for Ngāpuhi tamariki and whānau across Te Tai Tokerau.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1986
- HeadquartersKaikohe, New Zealand
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services does
Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services (NISS) is a specialist non-profit iwi social services organisation headquartered at 12 Marino Place, Kaikohe, in Te Tai Tokerau, New Zealand, founded in 1986 and operating as a subsidiary of Te Rūnanga-Ā-Iwi-Ō-Ngāpuhi since 2006. It delivers whakapapa-centred care and protection services, youth justice programmes, family court support, food security, and cultural-identity programmes for Ngāpuhi tamariki, mokopuna and whānau across the Mid-North and Whangārei regions. Core service lines include Tātai Hono / Kainga Atawhai (care placement), Mātua Atawhai (caregiver services), Oranga Whānau (family support), Te Tira Taitamariki (mentoring 11–17 year olds), Hohou te Rongo (whānau healing), Te Pae o Uta / Te Ao Mārama (Family Court support), the Mahuru Remand Programme, and school-embedded Social Workers in Schools (SWiSS) and Youth Workers in Secondary Schools (YiSS) practitioners operating in 30+ schools. Adjacent service extensions include the Whata Kai social supermarket (food security with dignity via a points-based model), the Mahuru Maara mahinga kai community garden, and three podcast series (Haukāinga Ō Ngāpuhi, Ka Huri Te Tai, Uia Te Pātai) plus a mobile Podcast Caravan for community storytelling. Technology infrastructure is light: Typeform for caregiver intake, Raisely for donations, YouTube/Spotify/iHeartRadio for content distribution, SEEK for recruitment, with no proprietary software platform beyond the codified tikanga-based service models themselves.
The organisation is funded primarily through recurrent government contracts with Oranga Tamariki under sections 396 and 403 of the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989 (approved iwi social service provider since 1996/1997), holds Level 1 Social Sector Accreditation under Te Kāhui Kāhu, and supplements income via community donations, partner contributions (notably Foodstuffs North Island for Whata Kai), and grant-funded programmes. Leadership comprises CEO Dr Moana Eruera (30+ years iwi social work), COO Arihia Tito, CFO Paik Shearstone, Chair Erana Kara, and a board of directors, supported by ~25 named Pou / Team Leaders across functional areas. All whānau-facing services are provided free of charge, with no fees, app revenue, API monetisation, or commercial pricing. The recently launched Enabling Communities Iwi-Led Prototype (March 2026), backed by Oranga Tamariki, is designed to test Ngāpuhi-led care delivery and lay foundations for devolution of specific Oranga Tamariki functions to the iwi, addressing over 700 Ngāpuhi tamariki currently in the care and protection system.
Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services
- Legal name
- Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services
- Website
- https://niss.org.nz
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1986
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services is a Kaikohe-based non-profit iwi social services organisation delivering whakapapa-centred care and protection, youth justice, family court, food security, and cultural programmes for Ngāpuhi tamariki and whānau across Te Tai Tokerau.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Iwi Social Services
- NAICS
- Child and Youth Services (62411), Social Assistance (624), Community Food Services (624210), Educational Support Services (611710)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Tribal/Indigenous Public Health Authorities (HLAJAAAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Emergency Shelter, Camp Management & Non-Food Items (NFI) (BPAGAAAC), Behavioral Health & MTSS/RTI Tiered SEL Supports (EDAKAMAE), MTSS / RTI Tiered Support Implementation (General Education) (EDAKABAE)
Keywords
Where Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kaikohe
- HQ country
- New Zealand
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices3 records
Markets served
Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Government Contracts: Primary revenue from government funding through Oranga Tamariki for care and protection services, youth justice programmes, and social sector accreditation. NISS is an approved iwi social service provider under section 396 and 403 of the Oranga Tamariki Act.
- Social Supermarket Operations: Whata Kai social supermarket operates with donated funds, partner contributions (Foodstuffs North Island), and community donations to provide food relief. Sustainability maintained through collective generosity of whānau, local businesses and community partners.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Free services for Ngāpuhi whānau |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels8 records
Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services (NISS) is an iwi-led social services organization delivering care and protection, youth mentoring, whānau healing, caregiver (Mātua Atawhai), family court support, and food security (Whata Kai social supermarket) services to Ngāpuhi tamariki and whānau in Te Tai Tokerau. Service delivery is grounded in Ngāpuhi tikanga, whakapapa and mātauranga Māori, and is complemented by school-based social work (SWiSS/YiSS) across 30+ schools and a podcast content platform.
Product overview
Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services (NISS) offers a comprehensive suite of iwi-led social services for Ngāpuhi tamariki and whānau across Te Tai Tokerau. The organization operates a multi-service model combining direct care services (Tātai Hono/Kainga Atawhai, Mātua Atawhai, Oranga Whānau), youth development programmes (Te Tira Taitamariki mentoring, Hohou te Rongo healing), and community support (Whata Kai social supermarket, Mahuru Mahinga Kai garden). Service delivery spans 30+ schools through Social Workers in Schools, Youth Workers in Secondary Schools, Mana Ake, and Te Ao Mārama court support. NISS also operates content platforms including the Haukāinga Ō Ngāpuhi podcast series, Uia Te Pātai interview series, and Ka Huri Te Tai meth awareness podcast, alongside a mobile Podcast Caravan for community outreach. Founded in 1986, the organization holds Level 1 Social Sector Accreditation under Te Kāhui Kāhu and is a subsidiary of Te Rūnanga-Ā-Iwi-Ō-Ngāpuhi since 2006.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Whata Kai: A social supermarket initiative addressing food insecurity through community collaboration, providing kai relief and connection to support services for whānau facing economic hardship.
- Haukāinga Podcast
- Mahuru Remand Programme
- Whata Kai Social Supermarket
Products and services
- Tātai Hono / Kainga Atawhai (Care Placement) Care placement service that places Ngāpuhi tamariki at the centre of decisions to ensure safety, security, health and connection to whakapapa; Ngāpuhi Kaiārahi support taitamariki through transitions to young adulthood.
Quantifiable outcome
- 700+ tamariki in care system being supported through iwi-led prototype
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration6 records
Feature8 records
Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Foodstuffs North IslandcoreMajor partnership for Whata Kai social supermarket addressing food insecurity in Kaikohe. Foodstuffs supports the points-based system allowing whānau to shop with dignity. Partnership includes product donations, funding support, and access to Foodstuffs network.
- Te Pūtahi Nui o Rehua (TPNOR)coreService hub partner for Whata Kai, identifying and referring whānau in need of food support. Provides additional services including rongoā and budgeting advice to complement Whata Kai offerings.
- Mana Mokopuna - Children's CommissionercoreOngoing collaboration for amplifying taitamariki voices at Waitangi and beyond. Joint panel discussions and advocacy for mokopuna rights under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
- ĀKAU FoundationmajorPartnership to provide platforms for mokopuna and their whānau to share voices at Waitangi. Supports creativity and innovation for taitamariki in Te Tai Tokerau.
- Dr. Alexander Stevens II / StandingTallNZ.orgmajorPartnership addressing historical sexual violence trauma, mental health challenges, addiction, and overall wellbeing for Māori and Pacific communities. Includes workshops with kaupapa Māori lens for Tāne affected by childhood sexual violence.
- Te Kotahitanga e Mahi Kaha Trust (TKEMKT)majorCo-organiser of Hone Heke Cup sports day bringing taitamariki together across mid-north. TKEMKT hosted students and provided kapa haka performance.
- Ara Whakamaua (AW)minorPartner in Hone Heke Cup sports day for taitamariki and kaimahi in Kaikohe.
- Regent Training Centre (RTC)minorPartner in Hone Heke Cup sports day bringing taitamariki together.
- University of Calgary Faculty of Social WorkmajorHost of 7th International Indigenous Voices in Social Work Conference where NISS presented Mahuru Remand Programme and taitamariki research. Platform for showcasing Ngāpuhi approaches internationally.
- Te Rūnanga-Ā-Iwi-Ō-Ngāpuhi (TRAION)coreParent rūnanga organisation. NISS has been a subsidiary since 2006. Joint engagement in Āpiti Hono, Tātai Hono roadshow and iwi initiatives.
- Te Hau Ora O Ngāpuhi (THOON)majorNgāpuhi health organisation partner in Āpiti Hono, Tātai Hono roadshow connecting with whānau across the country.
- Ngāpuhi Asset Holding Company (NAHC)majorNgāpuhi commercial entity partner in Āpiti Hono, Tātai Hono roadshow and iwi development initiatives.
- Kaupapa Collective LtdminorMarlene Richardt provides logistics and project coordination for Whata Kai social supermarket, managing premises, lease, and licensing processes.
- WotMatters LtdminorShirleyanne Brown engages with community and local services to ensure Social Supermarket foundation is built on what matters to whānau.
- Tohe Ashby and Mahinga MāhuruminorProviders of rongoā Māori (traditional healing) at Whata Kai, bringing together hauora and healing under one kaupapa.
- Paula and Fred HohuamajorMahinga kai specialists leading the Mahuru Mahinga Kai project. Expert guidance in maara kai practices, teaching taitamariki about kai sustainability. Also received Excellence in Foster Care recognition.
- Okaihau CollegeminorHost of Te Taitokerau Kapa Haka Festival with NISS support. NISS contributed staff, kaumātua support, ushering, and youth engagement activities.
- Oranga TamarikicoreGovernment partner supporting Enabling Communities kaupapa for iwi-led care of Ngāpuhi tamariki. Supporting devolution of specific Oranga Tamariki functions to Ngāpuhi.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Lifewise: Auckland-based social services organization providing housing, health, and social support to vulnerable populations. Comparable multi-service community support model but not iwi-specific.
- IHC New Zealand: National NGO providing disability support services and advocacy. Comparable social services delivery model but focused on intellectual disability rather than care and protection.
- Barnardos New Zealand: Long-established national NGO delivering child welfare, family support, and social services across New Zealand. Comparable scope in care and protection and family support but operates as a broader mainstream provider rather than iwi-specific.
Direct peers
- Te Whānau O Waipareira Trust: Large Auckland-based iwi social services organization delivering whānau ora, education, health, and social services to Māori communities. Operates a comparable multi-service iwi-led model with school-based programmes, food support, and cultural identity services similar to NISS.
- Tūhoe Te Uru Taumatua: Tūhoe iwi social services organization delivering cultural, health, and social services grounded in tikanga. Comparable iwi-led delivery model serving a specific iwi population with culturally appropriate approaches.
- Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Porou: East Coast iwi rūnanga providing social services, health, and education support to Ngāti Porou communities. Comparable iwi-led service delivery model including care and protection, youth programmes, and community development.
- Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Whai Maia: Auckland-based iwi organization providing social services, education support, and cultural programmes to Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei uri. Operates a comparable whānau ora model with school-based and community programmes.
- Manukau Urban Māori Authority: Auckland-based urban Māori social services organization providing health, education, and social support. Comparable multi-service delivery model with iwi/Māori cultural grounding.
- Raukawa Whānau Ora: Raukawa iwi social services provider delivering whānau ora, health, education, and cultural services. Comparable iwi-led multi-service model focused on improving outcomes for iwi members.
Emerging players
- The Fono: Pacific-led social services and health provider delivering culturally appropriate services to Pacific communities. Comparable cultural-community-grounded delivery model for an indigenous/ethnic population, though serving Pacific rather than Māori.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services social profiles
Digital presenceNgāpuhi Iwi Social Services compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles15 records
Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services
What does Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services do?
Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services (NISS) is an iwi-led social services organization delivering care and protection, youth mentoring, whānau healing, caregiver (Mātua Atawhai), family court support, and food security (Whata Kai social supermarket) services to Ngāpuhi tamariki and whānau in Te Tai Tokerau. Service delivery is grounded in Ngāpuhi tikanga, whakapapa and mātauranga Māori, and is complemented by school-based social work (SWiSS/YiSS) across 30+ schools and a podcast content platform.
Is Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services a public or private company?
Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services founded?
Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services was founded in 1986. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services based?
Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services is headquartered in Kaikohe, New Zealand, in the Oceania region.
How does Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Government Contracts are the primary driver. The others are social Supermarket Operations.
Who are Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Lifewise, IHC New Zealand and Barnardos New Zealand. Direct peers are Te Whānau O Waipareira Trust, Tūhoe Te Uru Taumatua, Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Whai Maia, Manukau Urban Māori Authority and Raukawa Whānau Ora. The Fono is listed as an emerging player.
Does Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services.
What industry is Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services in?
Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services's product category is Iwi Social Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAJAAAD, Tribal/Indigenous Public Health Authorities, with a secondary code of BPAGAAAC, Emergency Shelter, Camp Management & Non-Food Items (NFI). Its NAICS code is 62411 and its SIC code is 8300.