A Māori Perspective on Sustainability

• Mauri – Core essence and life force. Māori regard all natural resources and the environment as one in the same thing.

• Whānaungatanga – Partnership and membership. In the Māori world land was not viewed as something that could be owned or traded.

• Whakapapa – relationships and connections. Whakapapa or lineage connects Māori to every aspect of the universe and each other.

• Mātauranga – knowledge and understanding. The role of history, genealogy, mythology and cultural traditions plays an important part in shaping Māori attitudes towards environmental managament.

• Kaitiakitanga – conservation and protection. Kaitiakitanga is a valuable cultural sustainable management mechanism.