Te Taiao Igniting a Journey that Embraces Te Reo Māori

Te Taiao Igniting a Journey that Embraces Te Reo Māori
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Renee Kahukura Iosefa Renee Kahukura Iosefa
Knowledge into ActionTauhere MaiUpdates
September 13, 2023

Team members in the Knowledge into Action for Te Taiao project in Wānaka share how learning te reo Māori and tikanga Māori is helping them better understand the work they are doing to revitalise te Taiao.

Korowaitia te whenua, te Taiao ki toona reo oranga.

Kia Kaha Te Reo Māori – Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori is a time to stand side by side to acknowledge, embrace and celebrate the indigenous language of Aotearoa. 

Learning te reo Māori and tikanga Māori is a new journey for many of those in the Knowledge into Action for Te Taiao whānau, one of three place-based projects that make up the Revitalise Te Taiao research programme. 

The Revitalise te Taiao research kaupapa is enriched with a te ao Māori worldview. This has helped to support and initiate opportunities that encourage the revitalisation of te reo Māori and the normalisation of Māori cultural values in how we work together for the benefit of Te Taiao. 

For Nina Rongokea of Ngāi Tahu, her love for te Taiao is strengthening her own whakapapa connection back to the whenua, gaining a more in-depth understanding of her kaitiakitanga role as tangata whenua. She is on a journey to do her part in the revival of te reo Māori and the revitalisation of te Taiao.

For some of the Knowledge into Action for Te Taiao team, their reo journey has been kick-started by their own tamariki who are learning te reo Māori at school where it’s becoming part of everyday education here in Aotearoa. As a mother, Jose Cranfield says her children are her motivation to embrace te reo Māori. She believes that language is a connector into culture that helps to gain a deeper respect for te Taiao.

Below, team members share how their growing understanding of te reo Māori and tikanga Māori is helping them to better understand the work they are doing to revitalise te Taiao. 

Jaylene Harper
Education Support & Communications

“I want to learn te reo Māori because I think it is an important part of my journey as tangata Tiriti. It is a language that holds a lot of learnings for all, far deeper than just words. Learning te reo Māori is opening my eyes to concepts and ways of thinking or looking at ourselves and our environment that (I think) the western world deeply lacks. It’s teaching me to look at conservation from a bigger lens. There is still so much learning to be had and I welcome it.”

Michaela Backlock 
WAI Wānaka Special Projects

“Understanding te reo opens up opportunities to better understand, and through better understanding, we can bridge divides and find ways of being that work better for everyone.

“For me, understanding te reo Māori is one part of understanding te ao Māori. By learning te reo, I can begin to better connect with the history, traditions and world views of tangata whenua. I believe over time, this will develop into a stronger part of what informs the work we do.”

Lake Wānaka is a taonga the Knowledge into Action for Te Taiao project aims to restore and protect
Nina Rongokea (Ngāi Tahu)
Projects Support

“A lot of te reo Māori kupu have inherent meanings that cannot be accurately translated into English. Especially around te Taiao. It’s a step towards understanding my relationship, connection and place within the natural world. 

“One way I can respect and acknowledge taonga species is by speaking their traditional names. One way I can respect and acknowledge people and place is by speaking their traditional names. One way I can respect and acknowledge tikanga is by saying my mihi. One way I can feel connected to whenua is by saying my pepeha.”

Jose Cranfield
Education & Outreach Coordinator

“It’s a beautiful language, something that is special to us in New Zealand and to learn alongside my children who are more fluent te reo speakers than I. 

“Language is such a connector into culture and by learning te reo we start to also connect to some of the deeper concepts of te ao Māori. These are so interconnected and important to the revitalisation of te Taiao and how we connect as part of the environment rather than looking at the environment as a resource which can so often be the case.

“The challenge for me is having the confidence to speak in te reo, however listening and chatting to my children really helps with this.”

More information:

WAI Wānaka
Renee Kahukura Iosefa
Renee Kahukura Iosefa

Renee Kahukura Iosefa (Kia Ora Media Marketing & PR) is the communications and engagement lead for the Revitalise Te Taiao research programme

Transparency Reports & Impact Assessments

Publish annual transparency reports and impact assessments that document the social, environmental, and economic outcomes of value chain activities. This could include metrics on mana & mauri of soil, carbon emissions, water usage, biodiversity conservation, and community development indicators, providing stakeholders with a comprehensive understanding of the value chain's performance and areas for improvement.

By incorporating these ideas into value chain development efforts, stakeholders can create cultural, transparent, ethical, and sustainable systems that honour the interconnectedness of te Taiao, people, place, and consumers.

Cultural Protocol & Respect

Incorporate cultural protocols and practices into value chain activities, ensuring that all interactions with the land, waterways, and natural resources are conducted with respect and reciprocity. This could involve consultation with mana whenua, knowledge holders, and cultural advisors to ensure that value chain activities align with cultural values and traditions.

Regenerative Agriculture & Land Stewardship

Promote kaitiakitanga and regenerative agriculture practices that prioritise mana whenua and landowner knowledge, soil health, biodiversity conservation, and carbon sequestration. This could involve supporting whanau & hapu, and landowners in implementing agroecological techniques, reforestation projects, and habitat restoration efforts that enhance ecosystem resilience and vitality.

Consumer Feedback & Engagement

Engage consumers in dialogue and solicit feedback on their preferences, values, and expectations regarding transparency and sustainability. This could be tested through kanohi-ki-te-kanohi and digital surveys, focus groups, or interactive forums where consumers can voice their opinions and contribute to the development of more transparent

Environmental Monitoring & Reporting

Implement environmental monitoring and reporting systems to track the impact of production activities on local ecosystems and communities. This could include regular audits, data collection initiatives, and community-based research projects that assess the social, environmental, and cultural implications of value chain activities.

Supply Chain Partnerships

Forge partnerships between producers, processors, logistics providers, wholesalers and retailers to create transparent and mutually beneficial supply chains. This could involve direct sourcing agreements, fair pricing mechanisms, and collaborative decision-making processes that prioritise the well-being of producers and the environment.

Cultural Storytelling & Education

Use storytelling and educational initiatives to raise awareness about the cultural significance of products and the importance of preserving traditional knowledge and practices. This could involve hosting community events, workshops, or virtual tours that showcase the connection between te Taiao, people, place, and the products consumers purchase.

Maori/Community - Led Certification & Labelling

Establish a certification or labelling system that highlights products sourced from Maori-owned or environmentally sustainable enterprises. This could include labels indicating adherence to traditional land management practices, organic farming methods, or fair trade principles e.g. to take a step further the labels are printed with vegetable ink from a facility powered by renewable energy!!

Incorporating Maori knowledge & Practices

Value chains can integrate Maori knowledge and practices related to environmental stewardship, resource management, and cultural preservation. Local communities can be actively involved in decision-making processes, drawing on their deep understanding of the land, waterways, and ecosystems.

Digital Platforms for Transparency

Develop digital platforms or mobile applications that provide consumers with real-time information about the origin, production methods, and environmental footprint of products. This could include interactive maps showcasing the journey of products from farm to table, stories about local producers, and data on sustainability metrics.

Community-Owned Enterprises

Promote the establishment of community-owned enterprises that prioritise transparency, accountability, and equitable distribution of benefits. These enterprises could involve local farmers, artisans, and entrepreneurs working collaboratively to produce and market goods while respecting cultural and environmental values.

Developing a Transparent Value Chain

 

Value chains and markets with a te Taiao, people, and place perspective can operate by fostering sustainability, cultural resilience, economic empowerment, and community well-being. They recognise the interconnectedness of environmental, social, and cultural factors and strive to create inclusive and equitable systems that benefit all stakeholders.

Developing a transparent value chain from the perspective of te Taiao, people, place, and consumers can involve integrating Te Ao Maori knowledge and sustainable practices into every stage of the production and distribution process. Examples of this could be as follows:
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