This resulted in many of Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tāmaki nui-ā-Rua being alienated from their lands, culture, and language and the rich fabric of hapū and iwi life being severely damaged. The ravages of colonisation have left them virtually landless and much of what they retain lacks legal or practical access. Their waterways and lands have been degraded to fuel economic development. They have endured social and economic underdevelopment, and have struggled to make use of the lands that retained, maintain their traditional marae communities, and recover their language and culture in the 21st century. 