Māori values - Manaaki

Department of Conservation

12 Aug 201000:47

Summary

TLDRThe video script emphasizes the Maori concept of Manaaki, which signifies the duty to look after and care for the environment. It highlights the role of Kaitiaki, traditional guardians, in preserving natural resources for future generations. The script underlines the collective responsibility to nurture the natural world, reflecting the importance of this practice in past and present Maori culture.

Takeaways

🌿 'Manaaki' signifies the Maori concept of caring for and looking after the environment.
🛡️ The term 'Kaitiaki' refers to guardians or protectors, emphasizing the duty to preserve the natural world.
🔄 The importance of 'Manaaki' was historically significant and continues to be a crucial value for sustainability.
🌳 The script highlights the interdependence between caring for resources and their availability for future generations.
💧 The responsibility to 'manaaki' is a collective one, involving both the speaker and the listener.
🌏 The concept of 'Manaaki' is not limited to one aspect of the environment but extends to the entire natural world.
📚 The script implies that understanding and upholding the principle of 'Manaaki' is part of cultural heritage.
🌱 The past practices of 'Manaaki' are presented as a model for current and future environmental stewardship.
👥 The message is inclusive, suggesting that everyone has a role to play in caring for the environment.
🌍 The script underscores the global relevance of the 'Manaaki' principle in the context of environmental conservation.

Q & A

What does the term 'Manaaki' mean?
-The term 'Manaaki' means to look after and to care for, reflecting a responsibility towards the environment and natural resources.
What is the significance of being a good Kaitiaki?
-Being a good Kaitiaki signifies taking on the role of a guardian or caretaker, emphasizing the importance of protecting and nurturing the environment for future generations.
Why was the term 'Manaaki' important to the people in the past?
-The term 'Manaaki' was important to the people in the past because it encapsulated the cultural belief in the necessity of caring for resources to ensure their availability for future generations.
What is the connection between caring for resources and their availability in the future?
-The connection is that if resources are not cared for and looked after, they may be depleted or damaged, making them unavailable for future use.
What does the script imply about the collective responsibility towards the natural world?
-The script implies that the responsibility to care for the natural world is shared by everyone, highlighting the need for collective action in environmental stewardship.
How does the script define environmental stewardship?
-Environmental stewardship, as defined by the script, involves the active care and management of the environment to preserve its health and sustainability.
What is the role of individuals in 'manaaki' the natural world?
-The role of individuals is to actively participate in the care and preservation of the natural world, ensuring that resources are protected and maintained for the benefit of all.
How can the concept of 'Manaaki' be applied in modern society?
-The concept of 'Manaaki' can be applied in modern society through sustainable practices, conservation efforts, and education to promote environmental awareness and responsibility.
What are some practical ways to embody the principle of 'Manaaki'?
-Practical ways to embody 'Manaaki' include reducing waste, conserving water, planting trees, supporting renewable energy, and advocating for environmental policies.
How does the script suggest the balance between using natural resources and preserving them?
-The script suggests that the balance is achieved by ensuring that the use of natural resources is sustainable and that care is taken to maintain and protect them for the long term.

Outlines

00:00

🌿 The Concept of Manaaki

The paragraph introduces the term 'Manaaki,' which signifies the act of looking after and caring for the environment. It emphasizes the historical significance of this concept among the indigenous people, highlighting that it was crucial to ensure the sustainability of natural resources for future generations. The speaker underscores the collective responsibility of everyone to act as Kaitiaki, or guardians, for the natural world, ensuring its preservation and well-being.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Manaaki

Manaaki is a term of Māori origin, which encapsulates the concept of looking after and caring for something or someone. In the context of the video, it is a fundamental principle that underscores the responsibility of 'Kaitiaki', or guardians, towards the environment and natural resources. The script emphasizes that 'Manaaki' was crucial in the past and remains so, as it ensures the sustainability of resources for future generations. The term is used to convey the message that caring for the natural world is a collective duty.

💡Kaitiaki

Kaitiaki is a Māori term referring to a guardian or caretaker, particularly in the context of the environment and natural resources. The script highlights the role of Kaitiaki as individuals who are responsible for ensuring the well-being of the environment. The concept is deeply rooted in Māori culture, where guardianship is not just a privilege but a duty to protect and nurture the natural world for the benefit of all.

💡Responsibility

Responsibility, as mentioned in the script, is the obligation or duty that each person has towards caring for the environment and its resources. It is a recurring theme that emphasizes the collective effort required to ensure the sustainability of the natural world. The script suggests that this responsibility is not just an individual's but a shared one, highlighting the communal aspect of environmental stewardship.

💡Ngāhere

Ngāhere, in Māori, refers to the forest or the domain of the forest. In the script, it represents a specific part of the natural world that requires care and protection. The term is used to illustrate the importance of preserving not just individual elements of nature, but entire ecosystems, which are integral to the overall health of the environment.

💡Natural World

The 'Natural World' is a broad term encompassing all elements of the environment, including flora, fauna, land, and water bodies. The script uses this term to emphasize the scope of the responsibility to care for and protect the environment. It is a reminder that our actions have wide-reaching impacts on the interconnected systems of the natural world.

💡Caring

Caring, in the context of the script, is the act of looking after something with consideration and affection. It is a key action that defines the role of a Kaitiaki. The script illustrates that caring is not just about physical maintenance but also about a deep emotional connection and understanding of the value of the natural world.

💡Resources

Resources in the script refer to the various elements of the natural environment that are vital for life, such as water, soil, and vegetation. The term is used to highlight the importance of these elements and the need to manage and protect them for future use. It underscores the concept that resources are not infinite and must be conserved.

💡Sustainability

Sustainability is the ability to maintain or continue processes or systems over time without causing harm or depletion. The script implies the concept of sustainability through the emphasis on caring for resources so that they are available for future generations. It is a key principle that guides the actions of Kaitiaki in ensuring the long-term health of the natural world.

💡Guardianship

Guardianship, as discussed in the script, is the role of protecting and managing something responsibly. It is closely related to the concept of Kaitiaki and is a central theme of the video. The term is used to describe the protective and nurturing actions taken by individuals to ensure the well-being of the natural world.

💡Collective Effort

Collective Effort refers to the combined actions of a group of people working towards a common goal. In the script, this concept is highlighted as essential for the effective care and protection of the natural world. It suggests that individual actions are important but that true progress is made when the community works together.

💡Future Generations

Future Generations is a term used in the script to emphasize the long-term perspective of environmental care. It is the idea that our actions today have consequences for those who will come after us. The script calls for a sense of stewardship that considers the needs of future generations in our current environmental practices.

Highlights

The concept of Manaaki represents the responsibility to look after and care for the environment and natural world.

Being a good Kaitiaki involves fulfilling the duty of environmental stewardship.

Manaaki was a historically significant term for indigenous people, emphasizing the importance of resource management.

Past practices of Manaaki were crucial for ensuring the availability of resources for future generations.

The responsibility of Manaaki is shared among all individuals, highlighting a collective approach to environmental care.

The transcript underscores the importance of caring for all elements within the natural world as part of our duty.

The term Manaaki encapsulates the cultural values of environmental protection and sustainability.

The transcript suggests that neglecting the practice of Manaaki could lead to the depletion of resources.

The role of Kaitiaki is presented as a guardian of the environment, with a focus on preservation for posterity.

The transcript implies that environmental sustainability is deeply rooted in the cultural practices of indigenous communities.

The practice of Manaaki is portrayed as an essential component of a harmonious relationship with nature.

The transcript highlights the intergenerational aspect of environmental care, emphasizing the need for long-term stewardship.

The concept of Manaaki is linked to the broader theme of environmental ethics and moral responsibility.

The transcript advocates for a proactive approach to environmental care, rather than a reactive one.

The importance of education and awareness about the practice of Manaaki is implied for effective environmental conservation.

The transcript encourages a mindset shift towards a more sustainable and caring attitude towards the environment.

The practice of Manaaki is presented as a way to honor and respect the natural world, aligning with indigenous values.

The transcript suggests that the practice of Manaaki can contribute to a more resilient and sustainable future.

The concept of Manaaki is highlighted as a fundamental principle for environmental conservation and respect.