About us
This project exists to collate and interpret DNA results of Kāi Tahu members first and foremost. Additional or subgoals include, in no particular order:
1. Reconnect Kāi Tahu whānau using autosomal DNA
We are open to assisting living Kāi Tahu individuals who wish to identify close or extended relatives using autosomal DNA (as used on AncestryDNA, MyHeritage, etc.), and Y-DNA or mtDNA where possible. This can be especially helpful for whānau who became disconnected from traditional kāika during the 20th century, and for those whose whakapapa may contain gaps or uncertainties.
We are open to assisting living Kāi Tahu individuals who wish to identify close or extended relatives using autosomal DNA (as used on AncestryDNA, MyHeritage, etc.), and Y-DNA or mtDNA where possible. This can be especially helpful for whānau who became disconnected from traditional kāika during the 20th century, and for those whose whakapapa may contain gaps or uncertainties.
We encourage all Kāi Tahu descendants to register with Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and Whai Rawa, whether you identify as Māori or not.
Blank tree graph from what is today Thoughtco.com; "Free Family Tree Charts". Kitty Smith
added labels to demonstrate inheritance for three different types of
DNA; autosomal, mitochondrial (pink), and Y-chromosomal (blue).
2. Map Y-DNA connections to identify subtribal founding ancestors
"C-FT11868" and "C-FT133111" are examples of Y-DNA haplogroups that Māori men alive today descend from.
Going by oral tradition, we expect there to be two large, distinct Y-DNA lineages within Kāi Tahu. By
working backwards through these lineages, we can identify Y-DNA
haplogroups unique to the descendants of each ancestor, and estimate
when they likely lived.
- There are 1848 kaumātua whose descendants don't know which hapū they belonged to. Y-DNA tests could help if we have reference tests from known lines.
- Can we clarify and map out nearly-precise migration patterns for our ancestors, taking into account archaeological and traditional evidence?
- Can we identify which Irakehu that the hapū "Kāti Irakehu" took their name from by testing its descendants?
- Do Marukore and Tahupōtiki share the same paternal line? If so, how recently? Is Marukore a descendant of Tahupōtiki?
Lazily inspired by Tiger Walsh's graph. Taiuru's website lists 178 hapū names.
Further reading:
- Tūhawaiki (1843) Shortland, Edward (ed., Jun 1851); The Southern Districts of New Zealand; A Journal, with Passing Notices of the Customs of the Aborigines. Paternoster Row: Longman, Brown, Green, & Longmans. Chapter V. Table A, unpaginated (between pp. 94 and 95).
- Ngai-Tahu, Notes Relating to Tainui, Rahera (1946) McEwen, J.M. (ed.). The Journal of the Polynesian Society. Vol. LV: 221–235. Table 1.
- "Our Whakapapa". Wairewa Rūnanga Inc. Soc. (accessed 31 Jul 2025).
- Tau, Te Maire (4 Mar 2009). "Ngāi Tahu – The move south", Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand (accessed 31 Jul 2025).
3. Compare Kāi Tahu lines with those of subsumed or extinct iwi
Kāi Tahu settled widely across Te Waipounamu and displaced earlier iwi, including Kāti Māmoe and Kāti Wairaki. DNA may help identify markers from these earlier lines, especially where their descendants were absorbed into Kāi Tahu hapū. Their stories deserve recognition as part of our wider whakapapa.
4. Document early European settler haplogroups
Kāi Tahu whānau descend from many early European settlers. In some cases, these men or women left descendants only within Kāi Tahu lines. Documenting their Y-DNA or mtDNA haplogroups can support whakapapa research and clarify complex lines of descent. For some families, descent from their migrant ancestor(s) is also an important and proud part of their Kāi Tahu identity.
Kāi Tahu whānau descend from many early European settlers. In some cases, these men or women left descendants only within Kāi Tahu lines. Documenting their Y-DNA or mtDNA haplogroups can support whakapapa research and clarify complex lines of descent. For some families, descent from their migrant ancestor(s) is also an important and proud part of their Kāi Tahu identity.
While the "Become an administrator" message is not currently active, we would like at least one other administrator who is either experienced with Kāi Tahu history and/or understands the complexities of autosomal DNA in Māori populations. For sensitivity reasons, we would rather the latter be of Kāi Tahu descent.