Foundational Knowledge

What are Pūrākau

Myths and legends that contain philosophical thought, metaphors, cultural codes and rules, generational knowledge and understanding

What atua is Tāne-mahuta

Atua of the forest and all life within it

What atua is Tāne-te-wānanga

The bringer of knowledge (also atua of the forest)

What atua is Tāne-whakapiripiri

Another name for the atua of the forest

Who is Maui

He is a demigod and also a trickster hero

Upbringing of Maui

He was born prematurely and was wrapped in his mother Taranga’s tikitiki (topknot) before being cast out to sea, where he was discovered and raised by his grandfather

What is karakia

Formulaic chant accompanying a ritual act addressed to the atua

What is Io

Often understood to be the supreme being. Io is not a personal god but an unseen summit beyond the layered structure of atua that governs the world, Io’s influence is fundamental yet invisible

What is the controversy with Io

Some people argue that Io was a concept created after European arrival to mimic a Christian God, but others argue that it existed long before that

What Maori iwi believe in Io

Ngāti Kahungunu (NZ’s third largest tribe) and Ngāpuhi (northland regions)

What is Te Kore/Te Korekore

Represents the realm between non-being and being, a state of potentiality before creation and manifestation, often described as the void or chaos. Where Io may dwell

Who is Ranginui/Rangi

The sky father representing the sky, heavens, and the source of life-giving rain

Who is Papatūānuku

The earth mother, considered the personification of the land and the origin of all living things

Ranginui & Papatūānuku story

Ranginui and Papatūānuku were once locked in a tight embrace which created a dark cramped space between them that was the world. They had many children (atua) who grew up in this darkness and tried to separate their parents but failed. Eventually, Tāne was able to separate them by laying on his back and pushing them apart. This created light between the earth and sky allowing light to enter for the first time

What is Te Pō

The period of darkness when Ranginui & Papatūānuku were in an embrace

What is Te Ao Marama

The world of light after Ranginui & Papatūānuku were seperated

What atua is Tawhiri-matea

The atua of winds and storms

What atua is Tumatauenga

The atua of war and human activity

What atua is Tangaroa

The atua of the sea, fish, and reptiles

What atua is Rongo-ma-tane

The atua of cultivated food like sweet potato (kumura)

What atua is Haumia-tiketike

The atua of wild food (fernroot)

Who is Hine-ahu-one

The first woman

Who created Hine-ahu-one

Tāne

Who is Hine-nui-te-pō

The goddess of night and death

What is the story associated with Hine-nui-te-pō

She was originally known as Hine-ti-tama. Without her knowing their relationship her father perused and married her. When she discovered this, she was so distraught by the betrayal and trauma that she left the world of the living and descended into the underworld becoming Hine-nui-te-pō

What is Tikanga

It is the concept of doing things the right way, encompassing customs, values, and practices that guide behavior and maintain social and spiritual balance

What do you do with the first fish you catch to practice tikanga

You return it to show respect to Tangaroa

What are two cultural practices surrounding Tangaroa

Do not eat near the sea (especially what you just caught) & never turn your back to Tangaroa

What is Mātauranga Māori

It refers to the traditional knowledge of the Māori people of New Zealand

What is Tikanga iho matua

It is tikanga (rules) that is directly inherited from the atua (strict and similar across tribes)

What is Tikanga teretere

It is tikanga that humans have established (rules that people set in place that can be changed and modified)

What is Whanaungatanga

Relationship, kinship, sense of family connection (doesn’t have to be through blood family can be with atua, the natural world, and close kin)

Whakapapa

Genealogical connections, lineage

What is Manaaki/Manaakitanga

Concept of hospitality, kindness, generosity, care, and respect for others

What is Aroha

concept of love, compassion, empathy, and caring for others undoncitionally

What is Mana

Power, authority, prestige, and influence

What is mana atua

Sacred spiritual mana (power) derived from the atua

What is Mana tipuna

It is mana derived from one’s ancestors

What is Mana tuku

It is mana bestowed by the people to a person

What is Mana whakatipu

It is mana acquired through actions

What is Mana wahine

It is the inherent mana that is within all Māori women because they can create life

What is Mana whenua

It is the mana (authority/control) that a hapu or iwi holds over a specific area of land or sea

What is Mana motuhake

refers to Māori self-determination, independence, sovereignty, and authority

What does tapu mean

A sacred state or condition in which a person, place, or thing is set aside by dedication to the gods and thereby removed from profane use

What happens as the mana of an individual rises

So does their tapu

Characteristics of intrinsic tapu

Comes from the atua and is always in effect (eg. cemeteries, forests, learning), can use Karakia to temporarily lift tapu state

Characteristics of extrinsic tapu

Can be applied and removed by people (eg. karakia before and after lectures, rāhui, collecting food)

What is noa

It is the concept of being free from restrictions of tapu

What is whakanoa

The verb for the act of removing tapu

Examples of whakanoa

Karakia, cooking food, water

What is utu

reciprocation for something (purchasing, revenge, etc.)

What is Hinerupe

It is a marae

What is mauri

It is the lifeforce that binds the physical and spiritual elements required for them to exist. Can also be thought of as the lifeforce in all living and non-living things (dies with you)

What is mauri moe

the feeling of languishing

What is Mauri oho

The feeling of being startled

What is mauri rere

The feeling of being unsettled

What is mauri ora

The feeling of fluorishing

What is mauri tau

The feeling of being in balance

What is mauri mate

the feeling of being extinguished

What is wairua

It is the spirit or soul of a person (continues after death)

What is Kahupō

It is the state of having no familiarity with wairua (spiritually blindness, very bad)

What is hapu

clan group

what is iwi

larger tribal entity (made up of multiple hapu)

What is aria

The physical manifestation of atua (bird, animal, etc.)

What is mauritau

The optimal state of balance

What are rangatira

Māori leaders

What are Tohunga

Spiritual leaders

What is Whangai

The customary practice of childcare where a child is raised by relatives

What does Ngāti mean

Tribe (used to denote a specific tribal or kinship group)

What is kai

food

What is Reo

language

What was the importance of Hapu

Primary political and social group

Three important traits of leadership

Good at talking with people and communicating, caring towards others, brings people together

What is pepeha

A way of introducing yourself through the connections you have with the people and places that are important to you

What is Kaitiakitanga

guardianship/stewardship

What does tiaki mean

To care for or protect

How does the crown use the term kaitiaki

They use it as a shorthand for “stakeholder” when referring to Māori organizations. When they use it they request Māori labour/input without shifting any real power. This term comes with zero decision making abilities

What is the difference between how the crown views environmental protection and how Māori view environmental protection

Crown believe that they need to install protection from people and Māori believe that they can protect the environment through their relationship with it

What is a Marae

communal and sacred space that serves as a cultural, social, and ceremonial hub for a tribe, sub-tribe, or family.

What cultural concepts are practiced at maraes

Tapu, noa, mana, manaaki, aroha, whanaungatanga

What ceremonies and rituals are held at maraes

Pōwhiri (formal welcoming ceremony onto a marae), funerals, debate and discussion

What is takiauē/tangihanga

a funeral ceremony

What is wānanga/hui

Debate and discussion

What does manuhiri mean

visitors

What does tangata whenua mean

hosts

Who is waipunarangi/what does she represent

Represents rain, atmospheric conditions, and the life-giving water the pools in the sky

Who is waipunarangi/what does she represent

Youngest star in the matariki cluster. Associated with wishes, aspirations, and promise of a prosperous year

Who is Waiti/what does she represent

Represents freshwater and its vital connection to the ecosystem (food)

Who is ururangi/what does he represent

Star in the matariki cluster. Represents winds

Who is Waita/what does he represent

Star in the matariki cluster. Represents the ocean, marine life, and the gathering of marine food

Who is Matariki/what does she represent

name for the Pleiades star cluster, marking the Māori New Year and symbolizing remembrance, reflection, and renewal

Who is Pohutukawa/what does she represent

Oldest child of matariki (star cluster). Represents those who have died

Who is tuputangi/ what does he represent

One of the stars in the matariki cluster. Associated with food that grows above the ground (fruits, berries, birds)

Who is tupuanuku/what does she represent

One of the stars in the matariki cluster. Represents food grown in the ground

What is the funeral process

Body is prepped for burial → Taken to a place and mourned → visitors are welcomes and speeches are made → body is buried → Whanau (family) is brought back into the world of the living

What is ōhakī

It is a dying speech/parting wish often used as farewell by a person close to death

What is whare tūroro

It translates to ‘sick bay”. it is a place where a sick person is cared for until they die

What is tuku wairua

It is the release of the spirit during the end-of-life process. Ritual performed to ease the passage of the spirit into the afterlife

What is kōkōwai and what is it used for

It is red ochre (a pigment) and it is put on tapu objects (dead bodies for funerals)

What happens after the body of a deceased loved one is burried

hākari (feast), takahi whare (clearing the house of the spirit of the deceased person/lifting tapu), hura kōhatu (unveiling the headstone), kawe mate (gatherings where people remember the deceased person and tell stories)