Our Philosophy/
Te Whakamataa
“applying Maori cultural principles as a
foundation for economic development”
A whanau, hapu or iwi is an example of ‘Strength in Unity’. Traditionally, an iwi is a collective of interrelated hapu, and a hapu is a collective of interrelated whanau with whakapapa or genealogy being the congenial basis of belonging or unity. Through co-operation between hapu & whanau and adherence to tikanga Maori generates physical, social and spiritual well being.
Tikanga determines the cultural principles or ‘way of life’ that provides the basis of a Maori ethnic society. This way of life involved a strong bond between whanau, hapu and iwi. This is called ‘whanaungatanga’.
As a collective, the common responsibilities for Maori include:
- Mana whenua: Protecting the taonga tuku iho, our turangawaewae, and
- Mana tangata: Providing benefits to the owners, that being the hapu or tangata whenua.
Taupo Moana Group believe Maori can progress by adhering to fundamental Maori principles and operating through the twin tikanga of economic co-operation and collective well-being. By working and planning together in an organised manner Maori can fully manage our collective power. In doing so, Maori can eliminate rivalries, inefficiencies and duplicated efforts.
By pooling our efforts we can make our money, our people and our intellectual property work together as a much larger and more powerful whole. More
Through a collective effort Maori can leverage access to investment finance, new capital, new markets for our goods, new skills and training to help meet commercial goals. This leads to a improved ability to achieve our social and cultural goals, including:
- Environmental and wahi tapu protection
- Improved health
- Rangatiratanga and kaitiakitanga
- Maori cultural and language resurgence and general well-being.
