Managing the environment is crucial to a
Maori world view. All natural resources,
all life, come from Papatuanuku (Mother
Earth), therefore these resources do not
belong to man, rather, man belongs to
the Earth.
As humans we have an instinctive sense
of connectedness with other living
beings in this world. It is in our biological
make up because essentially what is
made of the Universe is made of us also.
Kaitiakitanga (guardianship) grows from this Universal
bond which builds internal awareness,
opens our senses, and fuels our energies
so that our physical, mental and spiritual
well-being benefit. Our bodies intrinsically
respond to the rhythms of the
natural world enriching our entire being
and Soul. The more we grow, understand
and dedicate our powers to the natural
world, the greater the enhancement of
peace, joy, satisfaction and spiritual
connectedness we achieve. That is why
as human beings, it is in our best interest
to reduce our ecological footprint and to
do more to care and protect the earth
and her natural resources.
(Excerpt from NIU - He Tangata Matauhi, Voices of our Ancestors)
Papatuanuku is the foundation. She is the earth, the whenua (land), the mother of all things. She is the body in which we draw our sustenance from. She is crucial to our existence.