Tiwaiwaka Principles
A Voice for Papatūānuku & Future Generations.
Realigning our Priorities
These guiding principles represent a different set of priorities to how the world operates today. The number one priority is not profit, but caring for the whenua. That’s the only way to ensure long term sustainability.
These principles are checkpoints to help us ensure that the way we live does in fact contribute to the wellness of Papatuanuku and all the living beings that are her children, rather than making things worse.
Most of all Tīwaiwaka is a message of HOPE.
Key Principles
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Principle 1
Te Whenua, Papatūānuku, is the source of all life. She is the Mother. Ka ora te Whenua, ka ora te tangata.
Caring for the whenua is the first priority. Everything else must be measured against this. -
Principle 2
We are not the centre of the Universe but we are part of it.
All living creatures are our brothers and sisters, and we are the potiki, the last born. Papatūānuku is our mother. We must care for them. -
Principle 3
The mauri is the web of connections that sustains life.
If any of those connections is weakened or broken the mauri is less able to sustain life. The integrity of the mauri and its web of connections has greater priority than the rights and needs of any individual or species. -
Principle 4
Te tangata, people, are not the masters of the mauri; we are part of the mauri and embraced by it.
Our role is to care for the mauri. In doing so we are cared for by it. We find peace. We are at home. -
Principle 5
No individual person is more important than any other.
Each must contribute what they have to offer, and receive what they need to be well. We are most well when we are sustained by the mauri, the web of connections that makes us who we are. -
Principle 6
We give special care to
the tiniest living creatures.
Even though they are too small to be seen they are the foundation that keeps and sustains all life. Caring for them is caring for the mauri. This is the source of wellness, of sustainability.
“Together we can be like the rain that comes at the end of a long drought. Just as the brown and burnt hills slowly begin to turn to green and then burst into new life, so we want to bring hope to a dry and desperate world.”
- Pa Ropata / Rob McGowan
Purchase the Book
Gain more of an insight into the principles and the story behind Tīwaiwaka by purchasing a book. Purchase more than one to share with your friends & whānau, school or workplace.
Profits from book sales help to support Tīwaiwaka.
Ebook $7.00
Booklet $12.00 + shipping
Learning Resources
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Podcast
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Workshops & Wānanga
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Video Collection