Tangata Whenua – the tribe that holds traditional status, rights and responsibilities of the Hapu (subtribes) within their traditional territories over an area.

Kaitiakitanga – the exercise of guardianship by the Tangata Whenua in accordance with Tikanga Maori (customary values and practices) in relation to natural and physical resources and includes the ethic of stewardship.

Hurunui – correct name Huruhurunui, literally translated means “a lot of hair”. When travelling along the Hurunui River for pounamu (greenstone), travellers wore big cloaks woven from red tussock. In the event that another travelling party caught up then the cloaks would be used for camouflage.

The River headwaters are sourced via two main branches, the North branch which flows from the Southern Alps into and through Lake Sumner (Hokakura) and the South branch which begins in the mountain (maunga) near Harpers Pass, joining the North branch at a confluence point below Lake Sumner. The River is supported by several tributaries, including the Seaward, Glenrae, and Mandamus Rivers in the upper reaches, the Waitohi and Pahau Rivers further down and the Kaiwara, Waikari and Greta Rivers in the lower reaches.

Ngai Tahu an Iwi (tribe) of the South Island represent; Te Runanga o Kaikoura, Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu and Te Ngai Tuahurihuri Runanga collectively referred to as Ngai Tahu. Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu is the tribal representative body of Ngai Tahu Whanui and the Iwi that is Tangata whenua within the Ngai Tahu Takiwa (area).
The Hurunui River is recognised as tribal boundary between two hapu, the area of Te Runanuga o Kaikoura centres on Takahanga marae and extends from Te Parinui o Whiti to the Hurunui River and inland to the main divide. The Runanga is the representative of the sub tribe Ngati Kuri. The area of Ngai Tuahuriri Runanga centres on Tuahiwi and extends from the Hurunui River to the Hakatere (Ashburton) River and inland to the main divide. The Runanga is the representative of the sub tribe Ngai Tuahuriri. The Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu recognise the status of Papatipu Runanga as Kaitiaki (whanau group with manawhenua, traditional status, rights and responsibilities of hapu in their traditional territories) of the natural resources within their takiwa boundaries.

The Hurunui River is one of the most important of the traditional trailways. It provided the easiest, safest route for Ngai Tahu tupuna of the Canterbury area who travelled from Kaiapoi following the course of the Hurunui River through the gorges and over the mountain pass to the Taramakau River and the West Coast. One Gully within this pass was named Maori Gully after the discovery of old rope and scaling ladders which were utilised by Ngai Tahu tupuna to climb up the steep walls of the gully in the course of making their way to the mountain pass to the other side of the Alpine divide.

The River remains one of the few braided rivers within the Ngai Tahu takiwa. Settlements were located at points along the length of the river with wahi tapu (places of sacredness and immense importance holding memories, traditions, victories and defeats of Ngai Tahu tupuna, frequently protected by secret locations). The mauri (essential life force of all things) of the Hurunui represents the essence that binds the physical and spiritual elements of all things together generating and upholding all life.