Whenua Ora, Wai Ora, Whaanau Ora

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He Maimai Aroha

Ka maatakitaki iho au ki te riu o Waikato

Aanoo nei hei kapo kau ake maaku ki te kapu o taku ringa,

Ka whakamiri noa i toona aratau

E tia nei he tupu pua hou.

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Kia hiwa ake au i te tihi o Pirongia,

Inaa, hei toronga whakaruruhau moona ki tooku tauawhirotanga.

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Anaa! Te ngoto o toona ngawhaa i ngoona uma kiihai i aarikarika

a Maungatautari, a Maungakawa,

ooku puke maunga, ngaa taonga tuku iho.

Hoki ake nei au ki tooku awa koiora me ngoona pikonga.

He kura tangihia o te maataamuri.

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E whakawhiti atu ai i te koopuu maania o Kirikiriroa,

Me ngoona maara kai, te ngawhaa whakatupu ake o te whenua

moomona,

Hei kawe ki Ngaaruawaahia, te huinga o te tangata.

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Araa, te pae haumako, hei okiokinga moo taku Upoko,

Hei tirohanga atu maa raro i ngaa huuhaa o Taupiri.

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Kei reira raa, kei te oroko hanganga o te tangata,

Waahia te tuungaroa o te whare, te whakaputanga moo te Kiingi.

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He Maimai Aroha

I look down on the valley of Waikato, as though to hold it in the hollow of my hand and caress its beauty, like some tender verdant thing.

I reach out from the top of Pirongia, as though to cover and protect its substance with my own.

See how it bursts through the full bosoms of Maungatautari and Maungakawa, hills of my inheritance: The river of life, each curve more beautiful than the last.

Across the smooth belly of Kirikiriroa, its gardens bursting with the fullness of good things, towards the meeting place at Ngaaruawaahia.

There on the fertile mound I would rest my head and look through the thighs of Taupiri.

There at the place of all creation...let the King come forth

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Working alongside Waikato Tainui

Working alongside Waikato Tainui's Environmental Plan - Tai Tumu, Tai Pari, Tai Ao. The overarching purpose of the Plan is to provide a map or pathway that will return the Waikato-Tainui rohe to the modern-day equivalent of the environmental state that it was in when Kiingi Taawhiao composed his maimai aroha.

‍Whenua Ora, Wai Ora, Whaanau Ora

If we care for the environment, the environment will continue to sustain the people

Caring for our environment is crucial because it directly impacts our well-being. When we preserve and protect natural resources like land and water, we ensure sustainable ecosystems that can support and benefit people now and in the future. This interconnected relationship underscores the importance of environmental stewardship for the health and prosperity of communities. if we care for the environment, the environment will continue to sustain the people

Whenua Ora

Whenua Ora is the interconnectedness of land, people, and well-being. It signifies the holistic health of both the land and its inhabitants, encompassing physical, spiritual, and cultural dimensions. For Māori, whenua (land) is not merely a resource but a living entity deserving respect and care, essential for sustaining life and identity. Whenua Ora embodies a deep relationship where nurturing the land directly supports the health and vitality of communities. This concept underscores the importance of sustainable practices, environmental stewardship, and cultural preservation, reflecting a profound understanding of harmony and balance within ecosystems and human societies alike.

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Wai Ora

Wai Ora translates to "living water" and encapsulates the belief that water is essential for sustaining life, health, and well-being. It represents a holistic concept where water is not just a physical element but a spiritual and cultural force as well. Wai is revered for its purifying properties and its role in nourishing both the body and the soul. Wai Ora emphasizes the interconnectedness between water and life, highlighting the importance of clean, accessible water for health and vitality. This concept underscores the responsibility to protect and preserve water sources, ensuring they remain pure and abundant for future generations. Wai Ora embodies a deep respect for natural resources and acknowledges their critical role in maintaining ecological balance and cultural identity.

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Whaanau Ora

Whaanau Ora is a holistic approach to well-being focusing on the health and prosperity of whaanau. It recognizes that the well-being of individuals is intimately connected to that of our whaanau, hapuu and marae, encompassing physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions. Whaanau Ora encourages collective responsibility and empowerment within whaanau, aiming to strengthen relationships, foster resilience, and improve overall quality of life. It emphasizes culturally appropriate practices and self-determination, enabling whaanau to identify and achieve their own goals for health and prosperity. Whaanau Ora is grounded in the belief that by supporting the health and unity of families, communities as a whole can thrive, ensuring a sustainable and flourishing future.

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What is Waahi Whaanui Trust doing to care for the whenua and the wai?

Waahi Whaanui Trust are coming together with local partners in their rohe with the outcome of working collectively to ensure our whenua and our waterways are taken care of. If we work together in caring for our environment now, it will in turn give hope to the wellbeing of our generations yet to come.

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