Māori law terms

Ariki

Paramount chief, senior member of a senior bloodline.

Ea

State of resolution.

Hapū

Collection of whānau usually linked by connection to a common ancestor, politically independent socio-political unit.

Hawaiki

In myth, the homeland/origin of Māori.

Iwi

Tribal people comprising several hapū.

Kaitiakitanga

Māori ethic of guardianship/stewardship.

Karakia

Recitation, prayer.

Kaupapa

Topic, policy, matter for discussion, plan, or issue.

Kāwanatanga

Governmental authority, government.

Kōrero

Talk, discussion.

Mana

Spiritually sanctioned authority, authority, prestige, standing.

Mana whenua

Authority derived from the land/in relationship to the land.

Manaakitanga

Obligation to nurture or care for others.

Mātauranga

Māori knowledge and knowledge systems.

Niu Tireni

New Zealand.

Noa

Reflecting something that is safe to interact with without special restriction; complementary opposite of tapu.

Pono

True, genuine.

Rāhui

Temporary prohibition set over a place to restrict access, often in cases of resource protection.

Rangatira

Leader, chief.

Rangatiratanga

Chiefly authority.

Take

Purpose, cause of action.

Take-Utu-Ea

A process involving identifying the problem, necessary return or action for balance.

Tāngata

People (singular: tangata, person).

Tāngata whenua

People of the land.

Tāngata māori

Ordinary people.

Taonga

Treasured possessions, anything highly valued.

Tapu

Sacred, set apart, subject to restriction; complementary opposite of noa.

Tikanga

The right, correct, or just way of doing things; Māori law.

Tino rangatiratanga

Absolute chiefly authority, autonomy, self-determination.

Utu

Reciprocity, something done in return for something that has happened.

Whakapapa

Genealogy, lineage, descent.

Whānau

Family unit, usually broader than a nuclear family.

Whanaungatanga

Relationships; value reflecting the centrality of relationships in the Māori world.

Whenua

Land.