Taiao and Mauri Ora. Māori understandings of the environment and its connection to wellbeing

Abstract

Kawharu (1998), in her seminal work on kaitiakitanga, discussed it as a relatively recent word, brought into being during the development and consultations around the Resource Management Act 1991. Since that time, kaitiakitanga has become an accepted and widely used term to discuss Māori responsibilities and obligations concerning land, water, wāhi tapu and treasures of consequence, or taonga. It is considered an environmental and sustainability ethic employed by Māori to protect and care for all parts of our earth and universe (Forster, 2012, 2019; Henwood & Henwood, 2011; Kawharu, 2002; Mataamua & Temara, 2010; Muru-Lanning, 2016; Mutu, 2010; Ruru et al., 2011; Te Aho, 2011; Waitangi Tribunal [Wai 262], 2011). This article draws on research undertaken for the study Kaitiakitanga: Māori Experiences, Expressions, and Understandings (Beverland, 2022). The main study provided an opportunity to pose two main pātai related to kaitiakitanga: How do we, as Māori, experience, express and understand kaitiakitanga? What mātauranga and tikanga have informed our knowing?