Māori worldwide connecting to their whenua in Aotearoa

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Māori worldwide connecting to their whenua in Aotearoa

Te Tumu Paeroa today launched a series of profiles of Māori living overseas, detailing how they are using technology to stay connect to their whenua. Responses to our call for stories came from as far away as Iceland, Italy, Canada and the UK.

Jamie Tuuta, the Māori Trustee, said, “With more Māori moving and living overseas, we’re having to find new ways to make sure their connection to the whenua stays strong. There’s been a resurgence for tikanga Māori and te reo Māori in Aotearoa. This series aims to highlight some of the challenges Māori overseas face to retain their cultural connection, and how whānau are sharing their heritage with the next generation.

“Conversations about te reo Māori in schools and increasing Māori representation in Government have ignited discussion in New Zealand, and brought whakaaro to the forefront of people’s minds about tikanga Māori in daily life. But for those overseas we’re increasingly needing online services like My Whenua and new technology to maintain a regular connection.”

Owners of Māori land that Te Tumu Paeroa administers live in 36 different countries around the world – from Bulgaria to Oman, Iceland to Papua New Guinea.

Gary Te Maiharoa, originally from Waimate and now lives in Iceland, said “I don’t know how to explain the feeling I have when I think of my land. It’s so important and precious to have this connection and it’s not about money. It’s something within that draws me to it. The desire to uphold the respect for our land that our ancestors held, and their values”.

Te Tumu Paeroa is launching new profiles of Māori land owners living overseas every Wednesday and Saturday for the next two weeks.

You can read Gary’s story here.

If you’re an owner of Māori land administered by Te Tumu Paeroa, you can stay connected by signing up to our online serivce ‘My Whenua’ today, here’s how to do it. Or, if you wish to share your kōrero, you can contact us through media@tetumupaeroa.co.nz

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