The aim of this research is to investigate aspects of hapū leadership in a rural marae. This investigation provides a current analysis of the ‘state’ of leadership today for hapū members of Ngāti Unu and Ngāti Kahu associated with Te Kōpua marae. It also examines factors that sustain rural hapū marae leadership, such as te reo, whakapapa, tikanga, kawa, hapū, and iwitanga and the relationships with other hapū and Iwi. The object of this research is to expand and create new knowledge on the state of rural marae leadership in contemporary times. With the changing patterns of traditional leadership within Aotearoa the research seeks to ask how rural marae leadership is formed and maintained within contemporary times using Te Kōpua marae as a case study. It is anticipated that this research will provide a model for the future growth and the sustainability of leadership roles for all hapū members of Te Kōpua marae and other rural marae in the Tainui waka territory. The anticipated outcome is to motivate hapū involvement in leadership roles – with a particular emphasis on sustaining and preserving all aspects of leadership among Ngāti Unu and Ngāti Kahu, of Te Kōpua marae. In addition to a case study of leadership at Te Kōpua marae, this research also explores different theoretical perspectives of leadership within Māoridom. It compares Māori leadership with other leadership styles in the Pacific. However, most of the materials are sourced from Māori writers simply because the kaupapa is Māori leadership. Broadening the scope it is possible to explore the notion of leadership in a wider context. Although there are many forms of leadership within Māoridom, in order to contextualise the understanding and perceptions of those forms a theoretical framework has been developed. This framework, called Te Orokohanga, is located in kaupapa ā-iwi ideology, which best reflects the Māori world-view of the participants who form the basis of this study. Thus, this study has been prompted by the research question, ‘Who kept the embers of the home fires burning, and who will tomorrow? Therefore, how is leadership formed and maintained within contemporary times upon Te Kōpua marae?’ Possible misunderstanding of leadership roles may result in the concepts being practiced and used incorrectly. It is important to determine how hapū members of Te Kōpua marae understand and portray this concept of leadership? Interpretations of leadership from the perspective of participants of Te Kōpua marae, forms the basis of this thesis. One of the essential components to being a leader is the ability to communicate in Māori, hence this thesis is being written in Māori.