Appendix 5: Glossary of Māori Terms

Hapū

Subtribe, section of a large tribe, clan, secondary tribe, the local tribe.

Iwi

Tribe, people, the people as a whole, the parent tribe.

Iwi authority

For the purposes of the RMA iwi authority is defined in section 2 as: the authority which represents an iwi and which is recognised by that iwi as having authority to do so.

Kaitiakitanga

Stewardship, guardianship. For the purposes of the RMA kaitiakitanga is defined in section 2 as: the exercise of guardianship by the tāngata whenua of an area in accordance with tikanga Māori in relation to natural and physical resources; and includes the ethic of stewardship.

Kawa

Protocol.

Mana

Authority, control, influence, prestige, power, psychic force, effectual binding authority, be effectual, take effect, be avenged.

Mana whenua

Customary rights and prestige and authority over land. For the purposes of the RMA mana whenua means customary authority exercised by an iwi or hapū in an identified area.

Mauri

Life principle, source of emotions, talisman, a material symbol of the hidden principle protecting vitality, mana, fruitfulness, etc of people, lands and forests.

Papakainga

Hapū estate, settlement.

Rāhui

Restriction or enforcement over a resource as a means to enhance the mauri of that resource.

Rohe

Boundary, territory, tribal region, district.

Tāngata whenua

People of the land, people of a given place. For the purposes of the RMA, tāngata whenua, in relation to a particular area means the iwi, or hapū, that holds mana whenua over that area.

Taonga

Sacred treasure, prized possession, property, anything which is highly prized.

Tikanga Māori

For the purposes of the RMA means Māori customary values and practices.

Wāhi tapu

Sacred place.

Whakapapa

Genealogy, line of descent.