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How
- A Step-by-Step Guide to the Te Arotūriki Process - CONTINUED
DETAILS OF CONSULTATION PHASE
Understanding Maori Structures and Hierarcy
You will be able to make contact with the right people, at the right level, once you have a better understanding of the connection between Māori and their social and political structures.
(1) Social Systems
Whakapapa
Central to the Māori concept of belonging, is family, or “whānau”. Whakapapa is not only the order of the genealogy but a mapping of the relationships and connections that the family group has to places, journeys and land.
For example, when Māori introduce themselves or each other, they will link the past with their present, so that each generation layers itself upon the existing map of connections. As a starting point, Māori will take their geneology back to the waka (first ships) and then identify with a common ancestral group (iwi). They will also speak about their connections with sub-tribes (Hapū) before finally describing their family (whānau).
Social, economic and political groups can all be derived from the concept of Whakapapa.
Whānau (Family)
The smallest social unit is the biological family, which is called whānau (which literally means to give birth). However with numbers of families increasing with each generation, there needed to be another term to accommodate the larger family group.
Hapū (Sub-tribe, usually local)
Hapū (which also means pregnant), describes the extended family group. Hapū also extend through generations and members, united by their common blood would unite when the occasion arose (ie. wars, special occasions).
Iwi (Tribe, usually regional)
Iwi is the largest family grouping and includes all hapū decended from common ancestors.
Tangata whenua (people of the land)
Tangata whenua is the generic word used to describe the people who are connected through blood ties and have an ancestral connection to a particular area of land. They are currently occupying the land continuously, and have an association with the marae that is situated in the area (rohe). The tangata whenua are usually the hapū (sub-tribe at the local level, but in some cases, it may be the iwi at the regional level).
The tangata whenua have the authority to determine protocols and traditions and to determine the different roles and functions on the marae with which they are associated.
(2) Economic and Political Hierarchies
There is no simple administrative model to which all tribal structures conform. The most important thing for you to is to seek advice to decide who, or what part of the political or social structure, has mandate at this point in time to speak for a particular place or on a particular issue.
Iwi authorities/Māori trust boards
This is the authority which represents the iws and is recognised as having the authority to do so. They are legally constituted organisations set up to represent Māori. Examples include Māori Trust Boards and Rūnanga. An iwi authority can also be constituted as an Incorporated Society or a Charitable Trust.
Rūnanga
Rūnanga was the term that used to describe a council of chiefs (rangitira) who made decisions for the welfare of the iwi/hapū. Nowadays, this is an iwi authority which is constituted under its own Act, but which has the Māori Trust Board Acts 1955 as its governing statute.
Urban iwi authorities
These authorities operate within the larger cities of New Zealand (eg Auckland, Hamilton, Christchurch) and provide services for urban Māori from all tribes.
This structure is a departure from traditional tribal-based structures and has created tension for some as a number of iwi are represented under one umbrella.
Pan-tribal organisations
A body that functions to provide services to all Māori, regardless of their tribal affiliation. For example, the Māori Women’s Welfare league, New Zealand Māori Council, Māori Congress, the Federation of Māori Authorities.
(3) Resources Available
At first it might seem daunting trying to decide who to contact. There are a number of different resources (websites)which are accessible to help you. For example:
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