The Power of Kaitiakitanga and Manaakitanga: Māori Culture and Environmental Stewardship
Māori culture has long held the belief in the interconnectedness of all things, including the relationship between people and the natural environment. This belief is embodied in two key cultural principles: Kaitiakitanga and Manaakitanga.
Māori culture has long held the belief in the interconnectedness of all things, including the relationship between people and the natural environment. This belief is embodied in two key cultural principles: Kaitiakitanga and Manaakitanga. Kaitiakitanga, meaning guardianship and protection, refers to the responsibility to care for and protect the land, water, and other natural resources for future generations. It involves a holistic approach to resource management that takes into account both the economic and practical aspects, as well as the spiritual and cultural values associated with the environment.
As a result, Kaitiakitanga is increasingly being recognised as an important principle in environmental conservation and sustainability, with its framework used to develop sustainable resource management practices in New Zealand and beyond.
Manaakitanga, meaning hospitality and generosity, refers to the practice of showing kindness, respect, and support to guests and visitors. This involves providing for their needs and comfort, and demonstrating warmth and hospitality. Manaakitanga is an important aspect of social and community relationships and emphasises a deep sense of community and collective responsibility. It is still a valued cultural practice in New Zealand, used to express hospitality and welcome guests in various social, cultural, and business contexts.
Our commitment to cultural awareness and Māori partnerships is part of our strategy to be leaders in the field of sustainable resource management. By incorporating Kaitiakitanga and Manaakitanga into our work, we aim to deliver outcomes that honour Māori culture and the environment, while also delivering practical solutions.
Our Principal Engineer for water – Josiah Simmonds, believes in approaching his project work with a focus on delivering outcomes that future generations can enjoy and benefit from, while also being respectful of his ancestors. This involves incorporating Māori principles such as Kaitiakitanga and Manaakitanga, which emphasise the interconnectedness of people and the environment. Josiah believes that forming strong partnerships with Māori is crucial in order to achieve this. They view the natural environment as a living thing that should be taken care of, rather than just exploited. We are taking a concerted effort to become more culturally aware and learn how to form strong Māori partnerships, with a strategy that focuses on building connections and we aim to be leaders in the space. Josiah gives an example of a recent project where we worked closely with Māori to understand the cultural context of a stormwater and hydrological design.
