TE OHU
KAIMOANA
Physical address
Level 12
7 Waterloo Quay
Wellington 6011
7 Waterloo Quay
Wellington 6011
Te hā o Tangaroa kia ora ai tāua
Our philosophy
'Te hā o Tangaroa kia ora ai tāua' means 'the breath of Tangaroa sustains us' - and refers to the ongoing Māori relationship with Tangaroa – including his breath, rhythm and bounty.
Te hā o Tangaroa kia ora ai tāua
The breath of Tangaroa sustains us
The philosophy 'Te hā o Tangaroa kia ora ai tāua' means 'the breath of Tangaroa sustains us' - and refers to the ongoing Māori relationship with Tangaroa – including his breath, rhythm and bounty.
Recognising our ongoing interdependent relationship acknowledges the Māori worldview that humanity is descended from Tangaroa and all children of Ranginui and Papatūānuku. We are part of the ongoing cycle of life.
Te hā o Tangaroa underpins our purpose, policy principles and leads our kōrero each time we respond to the Government on policy matters. It is important to us that the Government understands the continuing importance of Tangaroa and recognises the tuhonotanga that Māori hold as his uri.
All decisions and advice offered by Te Ohu Kaimoana on fisheries is underpinned by this kōrero to ensure the sustainability of Tangaroa’s kete for today and our mokopuna yet to come.
Te hā o Tangaroa kia ora ai tāua is underpinned by four pou: whakapapa, tiaki, hauhake and kai.
Ngā poupou
The guiding principles of our philosophy
Whakapapa
Māori descend from Tangaroa and have a reciprocal relationship with our tupuna. Whakapapa recognises that when Māori (and by extension Te Ohu Kaimoana as an agent of iwi) are considering matters affecting Tangaroa we are considering matters which affect our tupuna – rather than a thing or an inanimate object.
Tiaki
Māori have an obligation and a responsibilty to care for Tangaroa, his breath, rhythm and bounty. This is for the betterment of Tangaroa and humanity as his descendants. Our reciprocal relationship is enabled through tiaki, and assists Tangaroa to continue to care and provide for iwi.
Hauhake
Māori have a right and obligation to cultivate Tangaroa, including his bounty, for the betterment of Tangaroa (as a means of managing stocks) and support Tangaroa’s circle of life. Hauhake is underpinned by our tiaki obligations and responsibilities to Tangaroa.
Kai
Māori have a right to enjoy their whakapapa relationship with Tangaroa through the wise and sustainable use of the benefits Tangaroa provides to us. To enjoy the benefits of our living relationship with Tangaroa and its contribution to the survival of Māori identity – depends upon our ability to Tiaki Tangaroa in a meaningful way.
