ATUATANGA AND TE TAIAO: A TE TAI TOKERAU WORLDVIEW ON WATER MANAGEMENT AND ETHICAL DECISION- MAKING

April Nordstrom¹, Troy Brockbank²

¹ Northland Regional Council

² Tangata Whenua Water Advisory Group

ABSTRACT

Ngā roimata o ngā atua e heke iho nei.

The tears of Ranginui and Papatūānuku are shedding.

The concept of Atuatanga holds profound significance in rediscovering the ancestral knowledge passed down to Māori through oral whakapapa, emphasising the dynamic interactions of the atua and their influence on te taiao. Māori culture has evolved from these interactions, evident in the powerful connections established between the atua and te taiao through pūrakau, kōrero tuku iho, karakia, and waiata. Papatūānuku, as Earth, is the embodiment of life, with the land representing her body and waterways symbolizing veins and arteries, carrying precious life-sustaining water.

In times of turmoil, such as Tāne's conflicts with his brothers Tāwhiri-Mātea and Tangaroa, the consequences unfold as blockages in waterways and flooding on the whenua. These interactions among the atua served as instructive narratives for our tupuna, guiding decisions crucial for the survival of the people.

Te Ao Māori intricately weaves a 'personification' of the atua and their domains, informing decision-making processes within te taiao for the benefit of the people. This indigenous knowledge, unfortunately, has suffered loss through colonization but is now undergoing a gradual revival, influencing contemporary decision-making, notably in legislation like the National Policy Statement - Freshwater Management 2020 (NPS-FM). Central to these efforts are critical components like Te Mana o te Wai, defining principles and obligations to sustain the mana and mauri of Wai Māori and the associated atua.

Recognizing the need for Māori input, the Northland Regional Council, guided by the Te Tai Tokerau Māori and Councillors (TTMAC) working party, established the Tangata Whenua Water Advisory Group (TWWAG). This group aims to review and provide recommendations on the NPS-FM, allowing Māori to actively contribute to changes in the Regional Policy Statement for Freshwater.

This presentation explores the Te Ao Māori worldview of atuatanga and their interactions with te taiao, highlighting the contrasts with Western Science perspectives. It delves into the transformative influence of this worldview on leaders' perceptions of water management, emphasizing its role beyond being a mere resource and extending into ethical decision-making. The discussion includes an analysis of the reports developed by the TWWAG, detailing its pivotal role in shaping significant amendments to the regional policy statement (freshwater) at the Northland Regional Council.

The tikanga and whakapapa of tangata whenua, conveyed through pūrakau and kōrero tuku iho, adds a crucial indigenous dimension. This presentation also addresses the impact of stormwater on the domains of different atua and its implications for preserving Te Hurihanga Wai, emphasising the enduring mana and mauri of wai.

Ko te wai te mea i kawea te ora o te tangata.

Ko te wai te koiora o te tangata, ko te wai te koiora o tea o turoa.

Water is the carrier of human existence.

Water is the original source of human life, and the original source of the long-standing natural world.