Wai Māori Taonga
Whakakī-Nui-A-Rua is our Pātaka Kai and Pātaka Mātauranga – a storehouse of our life, knowledge and identity
Our takiwā is home to a treasured chain of coastal wetland lagoons, rivers and wetlands that has sustained our whānau and hapū for generations with tuna, īnanga, kākahi, kōura and waterfowl, and they continue to hold the stories and mana of our tūpuna.
To us they are more than just waters, they are taonga tuku iho, living ancestors that connect us through whakapapa and mahinga kai. While their mauri has been challenged, our whānau, hapū, marae and kaitiaki are working collectively together to restore and protect them so future generations can enjoy their mauri, mana and sustenance.
Our Kahui and Hapū Statements for our Wai Māori are:
- Iwi and Hapū are the recognised kaitiaki of our wai Māori, taiao and biodiversity
- Kaitiakitanga, Mana Motuhake and Tino Rangatiratanga empowers our whānau, marae, hapū and kaitiaki to exercise guardianship and decision-making
- Mātauranga Māori is the foundation of our kaitiakitanga
- Mauri restoration of our wai Māori is the grounds our freshwater health
- Intergenerational wellbeing, ensures our wai Māori remains abundant for future generations
Our Wai Māori
Restoring our mauri, protecting our kai, sustaining our tangata
Our coastal lagoon system
Our Whakakī-Nui-A-Rua takiwā is home to the most significant and treasured coastal wetland lagoon system in Aotearoa. Our wai Māori are sustained by our whānau, hapū, and marae through kaitiakitanga to ensure their ongoing mauri thrives for future generations.
