Te Rūnanganui o Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro represents the hapū and whanau that affiliate to the three marae; Hikairo, Otukou and Papakai. Each papakainga has their own domestic bodies, such as marae trustees, marae committees and kaumātua. However at the hapū level, the three marae have a representative body which is known as Te Rūnanganui o Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro.

It is in this forum that the Rūnanganui manage issues pertaining to the area of Ngāti Hikairo rohe; of which extends into the Ruapehu District, including Tongariro National Park and Ruapehu (including Whakapapa Village), Tongariro Forest, Kaimanawa and other areas about the Whakapapa.