Water has a number of key roles in Māori culture. Cultivation - mahinga kai, blessings, drinking, swimming and well being.
Mana whenua partners have identified the following values for their individual and collective sites of significance. These values influence how waterways are seen, treated and restored.
Te Hā o te Ora
The breath of life exists within all of our water ways and some special water ways have an essence within them that gives wairua (spirit) and mauri (life force).
Ngā Mahi a ngā Tūpuna
Mana whenua using fresh and coastal waters for their own purposes such as cultural or spiritual practices, recreation and harvest.
Te Mahi Kai
Places where mana whenua manage and collect food and other resources and uphold tikanga Māori.
Wāhi Whakarite
Places where particular practices and activities take place. These are often practices that have been used for centuries that require a specific environment.
Te Mana o te Tangata
Many water bodies are recognised as being of valuable to not only those that hold rangatiratanga of the water body but also to those around that area who interact and rely on it.
Te Manawaroa o te Wai
Some waterways have been badly polluted over a long period of time. Often, these water bodies are seen as being resilient in a way that other waterways aren’t.
Te Mana o te Wai
Some water bodies are inherently connected to our identity and the mana of the area.
Wāhi Mahara
Places of learning, where local knowledge and histories are etched in the landscape.
Get in touch
- Phone:
- 0800496734
- Email:
- info@gw.govt.nz