Sir Tipene O’Regan

The Negotiator

Although best known for his role as a board member and Chairman of the Ngāi Tahu Māori Trust Board spearheading the Ngāi Tahu Claim process before the Waitangi Tribunal culminating in the Ngāi Tahu Settlement, Tā Tipene O’Regan’s achievements are many and varied. 

He was a major negotiator of the Treaty of Waitangi fisheries settlements and was also the founding Chairman of the Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries Commission.

A scholar and businessman with an interest in traditional history of Ngāi Tahu, Te Waipounamu, general Aotearoa  history and the Māori political economy.  In the 1994 he was Knighted for services to Māori and the community. This is his story – Tā Tipene O’Regan – Indigenous 100​