Māori Touch NZ sit under the umbrella of the parent organisation, the National Māori Touch Trust, a legal entity formed in 1998. The National Māori Touch Trust was established at an inaugural meeting through mandate from Iwi (tribal), hapu (sub tribal), waka (ancestral canoe) and takiwa (regional boundary) representation from throughout Aotearoa.

The purpose of the Trust is to support the aspirations of individuals, whānau (families), hapu (sub tribal), iwi (tribal) and urban Māori and to empower and strengthen Māori in tikanga (traditional protocols and practices), te reo (language), whanaungatanga (relationships) and hauora (health) through the game of touch.

The Trust operates under the guiding principals of,

• Mana: The authority of the National Māori Touch Trust over all resources (tangible and intangible) handed down or acquired through processes and agreements consistent with the Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Treaty of Waitangi).
• Rangatiratanga: National Māori Touch Trust self determination.
• Oritenga: Creating provisions for learning, power sharing and success for all including those who have lacked these opportunities.
• Maramatanga: Advancement, dissemination and maintenance of knowledge.
• Kaitiakitanga: National Māori Touch Trust custodianship of the kaupapa (strategy direction).
• Whakapapa: Māori descent through whakapapa (genealogy).

Trust Members

The National Māori Touch Trust consists of,
Chair: Carol Ngawati (Trustee)
Secretary: Susan Rose
Treasurer: Carol Ngawati

Trustee: Te Rama Broughton-Winterburn
Trustee: Finney Davis
Trustee: Maahia Nathan
Trustee: Manu Solomon

Māori Touch NZ consists of an executive charged with achieving the Trusts outcomes. These include,

• Holding an annual Māori Touch NZ National Touch Tournament.
• Selecting national teams to represent Māori Touch NZ at international competition.
• Support the development of Māori touch organisations that represent iwi, hapu, waka and takiwa throughout Aotearoa.
• Support the participation and development of Māori in the sport of touch.

Māori Touch NZ executive

Carol Ngawati (Chair), Carol Ngawati (Treasurer), Finney Davis (Referee Director), Richard Anderson (Tournament Director), Sue Panapa (National Co-ordinator).

Account details

Bank: ASB
Account Name: National Maori Touch Trust
Account Number: 123083-0315633-00