Māori viewpoints on estuaries
Understanding Kaitiakitanga and Estuaries in Māori Perspectives
A new collection of resources, published by Referencing Hub media, offers insights into the concept of kaitiakitanga as it applies to estuaries from a Māori perspective.
The resources, detailed in the article "Estuaries - a context for learning," delve into various aspects of estuaries, including their geological and geographical features, biological and ecological functions, cultural and economic aspects, and human impacts. These resources could provide valuable information on how kaitiakitanga is understood and practiced by Māori communities, particularly Apanui Skipper and Weno Iti.
Kaitiakitanga, a deeply rooted concept for Māori people, signifies the responsibility of guardianship and stewardship over the natural environment. It goes beyond mere environmental protection, emphasizing a holistic relationship that integrates ecological care with cultural, social, and spiritual values. Estuaries, viewed as places of critical ecological importance, hold substantial cultural and economic value for Māori communities.
Māori enact kaitiakitanga in estuarine contexts through localised knowledge and practices, often derived from ancestral wisdom (mātauranga Māori). This collaborative stewardship upholds cultural integrity and environmental sustainability, empowering local communities in their role as guardians. Understanding water quality and ecosystem health in ways that reflect Māori worldviews is a key aspect of this practice.
In addition to the resources mentioned in the article, other materials are available to aid understanding. A downloadable PDF glossary of Māori words associated with the intertidal zone is available, as well as a downloadable Word file that provides additional context and information. This file includes introduction/background notes, what is needed, what to do, items found in estuaries, and Maori name cards.
Furthermore, the video transcript of Apanui Skipper and Weno Iti discussing kaitiakitanga is available for download, offering firsthand insights into their understanding and practice of this important concept. It is worth noting that kaitiakitanga, as understood by Apanui Skipper and Weno Iti, is not fully explained in the provided text.
In conclusion, these resources provide a wealth of information on kaitiakitanga and its role in Māori perspectives towards estuaries. They highlight a commitment to guardianship that aligns ecological sustainability with cultural identity and community wellbeing, making it a foundational principle in how Māori relate to and manage these critical environments.
[1] Referencing Hub media. (n.d.). Estuaries - a context for learning. [Online]. Available: https://www.referencinghub.co.nz/resources/estuaries-a-context-for-learning [2] Te Ara. (n.d.). Mātaitai - shellfish gathering. [Online]. Available: https://teara.govt.nz/en/maori-customs/page-2/maitai-shellfish-gathering [5] Unspecified source. (n.d.). Kaitiakitanga in Māori perspectives towards estuaries. [Online]. Available: [This information is not explicitly mentioned in the provided paragraph.]
- These resources, which include a downloadable PDF glossary and Word file, offer learning opportunities about kaitiakitanga and its connection to home-and-garden areas like estuaries, specifically focusing on Māori words associated with the intertidal zone.
- In the realm of science and environmental-science, the video transcript of Apanui Skipper and Weno Iti discussing kaitiakitanga serves as an essential educational tool, providing crucial insights into how this concept is understood and practiced in environmental contexts.
- Beyond the scope of environmental-science, the practice of kaitiakitanga also influences education-and-self-development and lifestyle, as it embodies a holistic approach that integrates cultural, social, and spiritual values with ecological care.
