In the light of the whare (dwelling) before they settled, her sons stood before her while she looked them over. Taranga went through a roll call, ‘ Mauī taha, that’s one,’ Mauī roto, that’s two.’ But, there was an extra one present.
‘ Eei, nō whea tēnei ?
‘ Nāhau ahau.’
“ Where is this one from ?’ she asked.
“ I am from you,’ replied Mauī
This question and answer opens up the world of whakapapa. Taranga could have asked, as is usual today, ‘ who are you?’ Instead she asked Mauī tikitiki a Taranga of his origins. Māuī then recited the names and stories of his birth and upbringing. Taranga realised who he was, showered him with aroha (love) and welcomed him into the whānau (family).
What is whakapapa?
In one word whakapapa is genealogy. It is the backbone of the Māori world consisting of layers of generations, of people who are connected through birth and blood ties to each other. It is as Professor Timoti Karetu describes, the glue that holds people together providing a place for them in the fabric of their kinship. Esteemed kaumatua (elder) Eruera Stirling believed that whakapapa and tribal histories were so important that if someone did not know them, they were unable to be their truth. Ngāti Hari and Maniapoto kaumatua Harry Katipa regarded whakapapa as the measure of an orator who, if unable to whakapapa was not an orator at all. How could an orator speak for the people if they were ignorant of the stories and names of those they were descended from?
What does whakapapa mean?
When Mauī recounted the kōrero (stories) of his birth and upbringing to his mother he provided sense and meaning of their connection for her. He was not just a name but brought with him the story of their connection that identified who he was. Whakapapa is a storytelling of people, places and times that is our security to stand certain and true. It is a pou (pillar) we attach to, a source of courage to be who we are. The connection is deep, strengthened from the support of the many who have contributed to and inspire us on our journey. We are the product of the hopes and aspirations of our heritage and now it is our turn pitch in.
Cultural adversity
Māori culture is founded on whakapapa imbued with values, beliefs, attitudes, customs and practices that grant the agency to stand tall and declare, ‘I am Māori!’ But the culture has been pummelled and bashed. Colonisation in its arrogance, dismissed as inferior all that Māori valued, rejecting Māori worldviews in favour of western attitudes and practices regarded as more practical. Te Reo (language) and tikanga (customary practices) the vehicle of Māori identity was all but eradicated. A prolonged and agonised journey of loss and deprivation has been the Māori experience since. Despite this the culture is still here. It is even adding to New Zealand’s GDP as one of the strongest drawcards of a booming tourism industry.
How has the culture survived?
Māori culture sits on values buried deep in the beliefs and attitudes passed down through the generations, the touchstone of identity and belonging, a well-spring of pride and inspiration. It has survived because of how it makes us feel. It is an emotional connection to what is important and what we stand for. It is a shared load carried by us all that ensures that it remains, is true to its roots and is passed onto future generations.
What can your company culture learn from whakapapa?
To create a company culture that captures the essence of what whakapapa means begin with the below:
1. Inclusion and belonging
Have organisational values that are vivid, graphic and stir the emotions. Values that hit the emotional core are at the centre of staff buy in. All staff must help to create the values. Use a process to extract, define and realise them. Ask questions like:
What is important to us?
What do we stand for?
Who do we represent?
Where have we come from?
Why are we here?
What is our story?
How will our actions uphold the mana (prestige, pride, authority) of this organisation?
How does this roopu (organisation) help and benefit others?
What would we say to a teina (new recruit) about what our company is like?
2. Mana in the workplace
Have values that are do-able. They can be broken down into actions in the workplace that are the embodiment of what the value means and stands for.
Remind staff of the ‘why’ or the purpose of the value. Say, ‘ we do this because…..’
Remind staff constantly of the values through as many means as possible.
3. Be a rangatira (chief/leader)
Rangatira and kaihautu (heads of departments) must live and breathe the values and set the example.
Be seen to be adhering to the values. Say and do as you are supposed to. Your actions inspire staff.
Acknowledge the staff, the pou mahuta (the pillars) who have carried the load.
Stories inspire so tell them.
Be a rangatira!
To learn more about how you can strengthen your company culture through tikanga Māori, check out our wānanga (workshops).