Māramatanga Māori – introduction
Our māramatanga Māori resources are a growing collection that we envision will deepen understanding and further highlight mātauranga me te ao Māori. These can be found under the māramatanga tab within existing articles. The resources listed below are some examples:
Botany and botanists – investigate the classification and identification of plants through whakapapa.
Our atmosphere and climate 2023 – for Māori, the connections to atmosphere and climate span back to the creation of the world.
Earth systems and climate change – a Māori perspective of the natural world recognises that non-human parts of the environment have mauri and are considered tūpuna and taonga with inherent rights, value and agency.
Climate change and impacts on biodiversity – when the mauri of the atmosphere and climate is unbalanced, it affects all other systems in te taiao, including people.
Whakairo – pounamu as a taonga
Living or non-living? – Māori understanding of this concept acknowledges the whakapapa (interconnectedness) and mauri of all things.
Pōhā – rokiroki kai – pātaka kai were elevated storehouses used by iwi Māori to protect and preserve valuable food sources.
Accessing māramatanga Māori content
You can easily view a māramatanga Māori insight by selecting the māramatanga Māori tab button on the right-hand side.
To go back to the original resource – just select the highlighted Māramatanga Māori tab.
This collection, as well as the existing mātauranga Māori content, provides a broad scope of articles, interactive tools, activities and videos from te ao Māori. The terms mātauranga and māramatanga are reo Māori terms that relate to knowledge and understanding. They have distinct meanings that are reflected in these resources. In essence, mātauranga is knowledge itself, while māramatanga is the enlightenment or deeper understanding that comes from knowledge.
Māramatanga Māori as a concept collates resources that are carefully selected to incorporate perspectives and mātauranga from te ao Māori, ensuring that learning experiences are rich, inclusive and reflective of Māori knowledge systems. Māramatanga Māori supports deeper engagement with Māori world views across various subjects, fostering a more culturally responsive approach to education.
The Māori world view is holistic – it acknowledges the intrinsic connection between the atmosphere, climate and the entire environmental system, including the interdependencies between people and their environment.
This collection of resources serves as a valuable tool for educators and learners alike, offering insights into Māori ways of knowing, being and doing. The inclusion of interactive elements and engaging activities encourages active participation, helping to make Māori perspectives more accessible and meaningful. Through māramatanga Māori, learners can develop a greater appreciation for indigenous knowledge while building connections between science, culture and history. This approach not only enhances understanding but also strengthens respect for the unique contributions of te ao Māori to learning and discovery.
