Source: NZ Department of Conservation
By Joe Harawira, Pouwhakahaere
Our kaupapa ‘Always Be Naturing‘ is a call to all New Zealanders to take action, but what does that mean to Māori who already embrace the ideas of kaitiakitanga (guardianship): exercising care, responsibility, and stewardship over the environment?
Kaitiakitanga is not ownership, but a sacred duty to care for the land and all its inhabitants.
The ‘Always Be Naturing’ kaupapa is enriched by kaitiakitanga, our ways of seeing, doing and understanding the natural world. We as Māori, whakapapa to all living things and the universe. We are connected in a whakapapa sense. We recognise that all living and non-living things are interconnected through whakapapa—our genealogy binds us to the land, the waters, the winds, the animals, and the plants as one extended family.
One of the key messages of this kaupapa is to see nature, not as separate, but as part of us and this is very much how Māori view taiao. Te Mauri o te Taiao (The Life Force of the Environment) possesses mauri or lifeforce and our actions must honour and embrace this mauri, not diminish it.
I encourage all New Zealanders to embrace rangatiratanga (leadership and responsibility) to model respectful and sustainable relationships with the environment.
We are asking all New Zealanders to work together (kotahitanga) The natural world has ngā taonga tuku iho (treasures passed down) and it is an inheritance that is entrusted to us. Protecting it is a legacy we leave for our mokopuna (grandchildren) and all who come after us.
There are many things people can do including personal reflection on your own relationship with the environment.
We must strive for harmony between the human needs and the needs of the natural world as our wellbeing is inextricably linked to the wellbeing of taiao. I am asking everyone to consider how their own choices affect the land, water, and all living things. Take mindful actions every day to uphold your responsibility as kaitiaki. This is what it is all about, asking everyone to be mindful, to care and to protect taiao.
Papatūānuku (mother earth) is calling out to us. We need to understand what she is telling us; she is urging all of us to breathe life into the environment, to protect it for generations to come.
Nature needs all kinds of help and every action adds up to support te taiao. Discover small ways you can make a big difference and get naturing the way you want to: www.doc.govt.nz/always-be-naturing/do-your-bit-for-nature
