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What is Te Ao Māori?
Te ao Māori (literally ‘the Māori world’) is a phrase often used to indicate the knowledge, understandings, and practices that have arisen from the distinct and Indigenous cultural context of Aotearoa New Zealand.
It’s a constantly evolving story spanning over a thousand years of occupation.
It includes a deep and holistic connection to Te Ao Tūroa (the long-standing natural world). Within te ao Māori, humans are but part of the environment, and this brings opportunities, obligations, and responsibilities.
The knowledge, understandings, and practices of tāngata whenua within the natural world have, however, ebbed and flowed over time. This stretches back to the arrival of our Polynesian ancestors and the suppression of intergenerational knowledge through colonisation.
However, the remaining pockets of ancestral knowledge have undergone recent resurgence and, increasingly, iwi, hapū, and whānau are looking to bring back and further develop that knowledge.
Te ao Māori supports our natural world, and us all
Underpinning te ao Māori is our connection to Te Ao Tūroa (the long-standing natural world). It’s the very origin of te ao Māori principles and culture for whānau, hapū, iwi, and the communities they serve.
The continued wellbeing of Te Ao Turoa requires our actions to allow for the continued flow of life. Activities that disrupt and or inhibit the natural energy flow of Te Ao Tūroa impede the prosperity of the natural world.
To support us, we can turn to the wisdom of our atua (spiritual guides) and tūpuna (ancestors). Research has aimed to reclaim, restore, and revitalise the guidance of our ancestors as we align, manage, and govern our relationship with the moana.
This information can be valuable to all kinds of decision-makers, especially those working in government, industry organisations, community groups, or alongside iwi, hapū, and whānau.
Three principles underpin a te ao Māori approach
A distinctly te ao Māori approach is guided by:
For a visual explanation of the te ao Māori principles, click here
Credit: Dave AllenHow can these principles inform our activities?
We’ve pulled together the insights and information necessary to enable these principles to inform future activities. This includes a range of tools, guidance, frameworks, and visuals to help. We cover four key areas:
Taura Here – guidance and reflections, based on our experience, on how research should be conducted in Te Ao Tūroa.
Te Ao Tūroa – information and visuals exploring the principles and practice of Te Ao Tūroa to support a more balanced and positive approach to well-being.
Waka Taurua – a conceptual model that can be utilised for supporting and achieving equity in applying a dual knowledge approach.
Tūhonohono – a means of understanding the impacts of our efforts in Te Ao Tūroa and a roadmap for achieving our aspirations and an enduring legacy.
Te ao Māori research in action
Mātauranga-informed coastal fisheries plans
This research (Huataukina o hapū e!) worked with hapū in Te Tairawhiti on the application of the Ngā Rohe Moana o Ngā Hapū o Ngāti Porou Act 2019 and developed tools, processes, frameworks, and policies to inform decision-making. The research has been used to help develop customary fisheries plans for the kaitiaki trusts of Ngā Hapū o Ngāti Porou alongside Fisheries New Zealand.
Learn moreBiosecurity monitoring plans based on maramataka
We supported iwi and hapū to reclaim and revive the knowledge and practice of maramataka (Ngā Tohu o Te Ao) - using lunar cycles to assist environmental practice. This research included maramataka-based marine biosecurity monitoring plans across three Tauranga Harbour hubs. This ongoing work is now co-funded by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council.
Kaitiakitanga approaches to ecosystem-based management
The Awhi Mai Awhi Atu: Enacting a kaitiakitanga-based approach to EBM research was instrumental in reviving mātauranga-based knowledge and practice around restoring sustainable mussel beds and managing an overpopulation of seastars. This work was led by the iwi of Ōhiwa Harbour with Bay of Plenty Regional Council, community, and other agencies. The work resulted in a marine management plan and a commitment to secure long-term funding to implement the plan.
Learn moreTe ao Māori resources and links
To deepen your knowledge of a Te ao Māori, explore the following resources
Explore more
Our interconnected workstreams support long-term solutions for improving the health of our seas. Explore the other two workstreams as well as how they all come together.
Ecosystem-based management
Ecosystem-based management is a holistic and inclusive way to manage marine environments and the competing uses for, demands on, and ways New Zealanders value them.
A blue economy
A blue economy refers to the marine activities that generate economic value and contribute positively to ecological, cultural, and social well-being.
Bringing it all together
The knowledge, guidance, and tools needed to reverse degradation trends and realise a healthy ocean.
Knowledge guiding change.
© Copyright 2024 - Tohorā
© Copyright 2024 - Tohorā
Knowledge guiding change.
