Te Ara Rau Tangata is an innovative new forum, where Tangata Whenua in the Western Bay of Plenty can generate discussions and seek solutions for their current and future living aspirations. The inaugural Ara Rau Tangata conference was held at Huria Marae, Tauranga in November 2019. Te Ara Rau Tangata will host a series of solutions based conferences where participants can share knowledge, skills and experiences about Maori land and Maori planning. The Ara Rau Tangata kaupapa was initiated by a newly formed group of concerned iwi, hapu and whanau members with various experience in local / regional planning matters, Māori practitioners and existing tangata whenua representation on various Council forums. This conference is a deliberate opportunity for Māori to lead this significant kaupapa for our urban and rural communities. Te Ara Rau Tangata introduces key Māori speakers, planners, architects, practitioners working in this planning space.