The National Māori Housing Conference was born from a growing movement among iwi and Māori housing providers who sought a unified platform to shape housing outcomes for whānau across Aotearoa. This collective vision culminated in a powerful call to action in 2010 at Te Papaiōuru Marae, Rotorua, where Māori leaders gathered to advocate for collaboration, transformation, and tino rangatiratanga in housing.

In response to that call, Te Matapihi He Tirohanga mō te Iwi Trust was established to carry forward the kaupapa and provide a strong collective voice for the Māori housing sector. The first National Māori Housing Conference was held in Waitangi in 2012, marking the beginning of a legacy that continues to grow in impact and influence.

Since then, the conference has travelled across the motu to Whanganui (2014), Tauranga Moana (2016), Waikato-Tainui (2018), Ngāti Kahungunu (2021), Te Arawa (2023), and most recently Waitangi, hosted by Ngāpuhi, in 2025. Each gathering has expanded in scale and significance, with attendance increasing from a few hundred to more than 800 delegates. Across every hui, the wairua has remained steadfast: to strengthen partnerships, share mātauranga, and advance Māori-led housing solutions grounded in tikanga and whanaungatanga.

Throughout its history, Te Matapihi has upheld the founding purpose of the conference by amplifying Māori voices through advocacy, championing iwi-led and community-driven solutions, and progressing housing equity for whānau across Aotearoa.

As the conference looks to the future, it continues to serve as a space for innovation, partnership, and Indigenous exchange. It remains a living testament to that original call for action, ensuring that together we build not only homes but enduring futures for generations to come.