How climate change affects Māori
Māori are among the first to be directly affected by climate change. This is because of their close relationship with the environment and its resources.
On this page
Māori face the loss of physical structures and resources, as well as the impacts of those changes on the spiritual, physical, intellectual, and social values that are integral to the health and wellbeing of Māori identity.
Numerous Māori cultural heritage sites – such as marae (meeting places) and urupā (burial grounds) – are situated in coastal low-lying areas.
These places are deeply connected with Māori identity and are especially exposed to impacts from climate change because of their location.
Hundreds of coastal urupā across the country are threatened by rising seas and more severe storms.
Taonga species such as tuna (eels), kōura (crayfish) and kākahi (mussels) are central to the identity and wellbeing of many Māori.
For generations these species have been the source of physical and spiritual sustenance for whānau, hapū, and iwi and have helped transfer customary practices and knowledge from one generation to the next.
Climate change is affecting our environment and the species that live here - many taonga species face extinction if things don't change.
Alongside the loss of taonga species, climate change is also shifting tohu (environmental indicators) that Māori have observed and relied on for generations.
In the far north of the North Island one fisher noted, “I realised about two years ago things are changing. Things [plants] are blooming out of season. Fishing is all out of kilter. Mullet never came till winter and now you’ve got mullet coming any old time, sort of thing. It’s really changed.” (Te Hiku o te Ika Development Trust, 2018).
Mātauranga Māori is knowledge in its broadest sense. It is part of Māori culture, linked to Māori identity and is considered by some as a unique part of the identity of all New Zealanders.
Climate change can contribute to degradation in the mauri (life force) of ecosystems and taonga species and jeopardise the mātauranga associated with them. When a taonga species is lost the whakapapa (lineage or ties) between iwi, hapū, whenua (land) and taonga is severed.
The ability of tangata whenua to act as kaitiaki (guardians) over the taonga and engage in mahinga kai practices within their rohe (region) can also be degraded. Te reo me ngā tikanga (language and customs) and interactions between generations to share the mātauranga can also be reduced.
Manaakitanga describes the responsibility of a host to care for whānau and manuhiri (visitors) through nurturing relationships and by providing shelter, food, and resources.
For Māori, manaakitanga is a way of life that can be shown in many ways. In homes, workplaces and everyday interactions, Māori people take great pride in caring for the wellbeing of others.
Tangata whenua usually do all they can to show generosity and kindness to their guests by sharing stories, singing waiata and treating them to the local delicacies for which their area is known. Climate change is likely to affect marae and customary harvesting grounds and cause major shifts in how whānau practice manaakitanga.