Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services

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.

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

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

• Iwi social services
• Care and protection
• Whānau support services
• Youth mentoring programmes
• Community social support

Headquarters

HQ city

Kaikohe

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core 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

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Foodstuffs North IslandcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2025Major 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)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerService 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 CommissionercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing collaboration for amplifying taitamariki voices at Waitangi and beyond. Joint panel discussions and advocacy for mokopuna rights under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
• ĀKAU FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership 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.orgmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership 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)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organiser of Hone Heke Cup sports day bringing taitamariki together across mid-north. TKEMKT hosted students and provided kapa haka performance.
• Ara Whakamaua (AW)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Hone Heke Cup sports day for taitamariki and kaimahi in Kaikohe.
• Regent Training Centre (RTC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Hone Heke Cup sports day bringing taitamariki together.
• University of Calgary Faculty of Social WorkmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost 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)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent 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)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNgāpuhi health organisation partner in Āpiti Hono, Tātai Hono roadshow connecting with whānau across the country.
• Ngāpuhi Asset Holding Company (NAHC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNgāpuhi commercial entity partner in Āpiti Hono, Tātai Hono roadshow and iwi development initiatives.
• Kaupapa Collective LtdminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMarlene Richardt provides logistics and project coordination for Whata Kai social supermarket, managing premises, lease, and licensing processes.
• WotMatters LtdminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerShirleyanne Brown engages with community and local services to ensure Social Supermarket foundation is built on what matters to whānau.
• Tohe Ashby and Mahinga MāhuruminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProviders of rongoā Māori (traditional healing) at Whata Kai, bringing together hauora and healing under one kaupapa.
• Paula and Fred HohuamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMahinga 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 CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost of Te Taitokerau Kapa Haka Festival with NISS support. NISS contributed staff, kaumātua support, ushering, and youth engagement activities.
• Oranga TamarikicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment 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

Broad 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

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@Ng%C4%81puhiIwiSocialServices
• Facebookfacebook.com/ngapuhiiwisocialservices
• Instagraminstagram.com/ngapuhiiwisocialservices
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ng%C4%81puhi-iwi-social-services

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services