Waitī
Ka ora te wai, ka ora te whenua, ka ora ngā tāngata.
If the water is healthy, the land is healthy, the people are healthy.
My name is Waitī. I have a special connection to all those creatures living in fresh water - the rivers, streams and lakes.
Waimāori / Fresh Water
Water is associated with the beginnings of life. For Ngāi Tahu, this occurred when Mākū came together with Mahoranuiātea and conceived Rangi.
According to Ngāi Tahu tradition, it was Te Rapuwai who first classified the waters of Te Waipounamu. Water was viewed according to its nature and uses, which in turn determined its future uses. Water was also a source of foods, with marine farming and aquaculture both traditionally practiced in coastal and inland areas.
Today, work is being done to protect New Zealand’s water. Te Mana o te Wai, is a central concept for freshwater management and aims to lift the standard for how we care for freshwater. It includes protection of wetlands, ensuring fish passages up and down rivers and streams, and improving land and water management on farms and in communities.
Waīti
Ka ora te wai, ka ora te whenua, ka ora ngā tāngata.
Ko Waitī tōku ingoa. Ka hono atu au ki ngā wai māori me ngā koiora katoa o ngā awa, o ngā manga, o ngā roto anō hoki.
Wai
Ka hono atu te wai ki te orokohanga o ngā mea katoa – ki tā Ngāi Tahu, ka tīmata tēnei i a Mākū me tāna moe ki a Māhoranuiātea, ka puta ki waho, ko Rangi.
Ki tā Ngāi Tahu kōrero tuku iho, nā Te Rapuwai ngā wai o Te Waipounamu i kōmaka tuatahi mai. Ka arotia te wai i runga anō i ōna ake āhuatanga, me āna nei whakamahinga. Te maha hoki o ngā whakamahinga ake o te wai māori, atu i te inu me ngā puna kai, mai i uta ki tai rā anō.
Ko tā Te Mana o Te Wai, he whakapiki i te ora me te kōunga o ngā wai māori, me tā tatou nei tiaki i tēnei o ngā taonga hei wai toko i te ora, arā, ko te tiaki i ngā hāpua, ko te tiaki i te rere o ngā ika, me te whakatika ake i te whenua me te wai o ngā pāmu, i ngā hapori hoki.
Sources / Resources
- 'E Pākihi Hakinga a Kai: An examiniation of pre-contact resource management practice in Southern Te Wāi Pounamu Dr Jim Williams, 2004 University of Otago thesis [PDF]
- National Policy Statement for freshwater management 2020
Credits
- Characters: Created by Māui Studios
- Content: Kiri Jarden, Christchurch City Council (in consultation with mana whenua)
- Te reo Māori translation: Corban Te Aika
