Ko te wai te toto o te whenua, ko te whenua te toto o te tangata…water is the blood of the land, and land is the blood of the people.

 

He whakaaro Māori – we as tāngata are intrinsically embedded into the fabrics of the

environment and are but one thread within the realm of Te Ao Mārama. Our knowledge,

belief systems, and worldviews are rooted at the center of our taiao which bonds all elements

of our Māori identity. 

 

I exist, not as a product of the environment, but rather an extension, a manifestation. You exist, not as a product of the environment, but rather an extension, a manifestation. Therefore, if we are environmental manifestations culminated by our waters and lands and tribes and mountains and ancestors; can you hear them calling? They call loudly and softly. They speak in chants and incantations. They scream in melodies. They search for our ears, telling us to ‘listen to my language, for I am you and you are me’.

 

In the face of climate change and environmental degradation, the language of our taiao must be heard. They call for us in urgency. Call for us to reclaim our reciprocal relationship with ngā mana o te atua, ngā mana o te tāngata, and ngā mana o te taiao. Call for us to be active kaitiaki once again. Call for us to return home to the sustenance of our ūkaipō, so we can provide sustenance for them too. 

 

Our waters and lands and tribes and mountains and ancestors are calling; can you hear them?