Te Ara O Raukawa Moana Journal

Climate change poses major risks to the ability of tangata whenua to exercise their kaitiaki
obligations. Disorder around intergenerational knowledge transfer, loss of cultural and spiritual
connection, loss of access to coastal landscapes, exploitation of natural resources, and ability to
effect change through decision-making are some of the issues that arise as part of the climate
crisis. Climate change does not exist in isolation but operates in a context of environmental
degradation since the mid-19th century, with removal of indigenous forestry, water pollution,
land reclamation, deterioration of waterways and estuaries and the rise of industrial mechanisation
and global consumerism.
For Ngāti Toa Rangatira (Ngāti Toa), active kaitiakitanga over the marine and coastal environment
of Te Moana o Raukawa (Raukawa Moana) is key to the identity and living culture of the iwi.
Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira (Te Rūnanga), as the mandated iwi authority for Ngāti Toa, has a
responsibility to protect and advocate for the rights and interests of the iwi throughout the rohe
of Ngāti Toa, particularly within the context of the Tiriti partnership between the iwi and the Crown
and local authorities.
Te Rūnanga established a project entitled ‘Te Ara o Raukawa Moana’ to enable a proactive
response to our changing maritime environment (the project). It aims to inform our people of
the challenges that climate change poses to our rohe moana (our coastal landscapes and
marine environments) through providing opportunities for the transmission of intergenerational
knowledge, facilitating (re)connection to ancestral places and practices, and holding wānanga that
focus on Ngāti Toa-specific knowledge of taiao and customary practices. This article discusses
the key findings of Te Ara o Raukawa Moana in relation to the principles of whakapapa, ahi kā,
tohu and kaitiakitanga, as these are specifically understood and practiced within the iwi of Ngāti
Toa. This article complements a booklet (McClean, Sagar, Solomon, & Bishop, 2024) which was
produced for the opening of Te Ara o Raukawa Moana exhibition on 5 April 2024 at Pātaka Art + Museum, Porirua City to explain the project for the wider iwi and public.

Before the significant marine and coastal sites of the iwi are consigned to the history books
alongside the traditional practices undertaken by our ancestors, Te Ara o Raukawa Moana
highlights the importance of practices and observations as part of our identity as an iwi.
These are things that we do, and need to continue to do, to maintain our identity, traditions and
culture. By maintaining our connection to the practices and environmental principles of our
ancestors, our iwi will be optimally prepared to face the challenges climate change poses to our
environment and our way of life ancestors.