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Mahinga Kai: Connecting People with Place
Implementing Mahinga Kai as a Māori Freshwater Value - A comprehensive guide for connecting tangata with whenua through traditional food gathering practices
Explore the Guide
The Research Team and Collaborative Approach
This comprehensive guide represents a collaborative effort between leading Māori consultants, environmental specialists, and government agencies, bringing together diverse expertise to support the implementation of mahinga kai values.
Lead Consultants
Ian Ruru & Simone Shivnan
Maumahara Consultancy Services Ltd
Wolfgang Kanz
Awamoana Ltd
Technical Specialists
Emily Afoa
Tektus Consultants Ltd
Environmental Team
Caleb Clarke, Stu Farrant, Mark Lowe, Daniel Nutsford (Morphum Environmental Ltd)
Quality Assurance
Final Review:
Emily Afoa and Caleb Clarke
Released by:
Ian Ruru and Wolfgang Kanz
Mahinga Kai Practitioners and Knowledge Holders
The development of this guide was enriched by the invaluable contributions of experienced mahinga kai practitioners and consultants who shared their traditional knowledge and contemporary insights.
Traditional Knowledge Keepers
Barry Matuku, Hurimoana Haami, Marlene Benson, and Sam MacDonald brought decades of traditional mahinga kai practice and cultural knowledge to inform the guide's development.
Academic Expertise
Dr. Shaun Awatere and Dr. Kepa Morgan provided scholarly perspectives, bridging traditional knowledge with contemporary research methodologies and policy frameworks.
Community Leaders
Anne-Maree McKay, Sam Tamarapa, Hera Gibson, Tu O'Brien, Mananui Ramsden, and Ray Farmer contributed grassroots perspectives and practical implementation experience.

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Regional Council Partnerships
The successful implementation of mahinga kai values requires strong partnerships between Māori communities and regional councils. This collaborative approach ensures that traditional knowledge is properly integrated into contemporary freshwater management.
Auckland Council
Dave Allen provided crucial insights into urban mahinga kai implementation, demonstrating how traditional practices can be maintained and revitalised in metropolitan environments.
  • Urban waterway restoration
  • Community engagement strategies
  • Policy integration frameworks
Environment Canterbury
Mananui Ramsden contributed expertise in South Island mahinga kai practices, highlighting regional variations and adaptation strategies for different environmental contexts.
  • Alpine freshwater systems
  • Traditional harvesting protocols
  • Cultural impact assessments
Bay of Plenty Regional Council
Nicola Green, Kataraina O'Brien, Gina Mohi, and Anaru Vercoe brought extensive experience in Māori-Council partnerships and freshwater co-management approaches.
  • Co-governance models
  • Cultural monitoring programmes
  • Community-based management
Ministry for Environment Leadership

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Government leadership in supporting Māori freshwater values
The Ministry for Environment demonstrated strong leadership in coordinating this multi-stakeholder project, ensuring that mahinga kai implementation aligns with national freshwater policy objectives.
01
Project Management
Alba Jelicich served as Project Manager, coordinating diverse stakeholders and ensuring project deliverables met both cultural and technical requirements.
02
Policy Integration
Claire Graeme (MfE) and Christina Robb (Happen Consulting Ltd) ensured alignment with national freshwater management frameworks.
03
Cultural Guidance
Lyn Harrison (Atahaia Consultancy Ltd) provided essential cultural oversight and guidance throughout the project development process.
Technical Excellence and Cultural Authenticity
The guide's development was supported by leading experts who ensured both technical rigour and cultural authenticity in the presentation of mahinga kai knowledge and implementation strategies.
Technical Guidance
Dr. Mahina-a-rangi Baker from Te Kōnae Ltd provided essential technical guidance, ensuring that the guide meets the highest standards of academic rigour whilst remaining culturally appropriate and accessible.
Her expertise bridged traditional knowledge systems with contemporary research methodologies, creating a robust framework for mahinga kai implementation.
Visual Storytelling
Anakura Kingi-Taumaunu created beautiful illustrations that bring mahinga kai concepts to life, making complex cultural and environmental relationships accessible through visual narrative.
These illustrations serve as powerful tools for education and engagement, helping diverse audiences understand mahinga kai principles.
Cultural authenticity and technical excellence combine to create comprehensive guidance
The National Policy Statement Framework
This guide specifically addresses the implementation of mahinga kai within the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020, providing practical tools and frameworks for councils and communities.
1
Policy Context
The National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020 recognises mahinga kai as a fundamental value that must be provided for in freshwater management decisions across New Zealand.
2
Implementation Challenge
Councils and communities needed practical guidance on how to meaningfully incorporate mahinga kai values into their freshwater planning and management processes.
3
Solution Development
This comprehensive guide provides the tools, frameworks, and knowledge needed to successfully implement mahinga kai as a freshwater value in diverse contexts.
4
Future Application
The guide serves as a living document that will continue to evolve as communities gain experience in mahinga kai implementation and share their learnings.

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A Kete of Knowledge for Implementation
The guide is conceptualised as a kete - a traditional Māori woven basket that holds and carries precious knowledge. This metaphor reflects the guide's role in carrying forward traditional mahinga kai wisdom whilst providing practical tools for contemporary application.
Cultural Foundation
Traditional mahinga kai knowledge and practices form the foundation of all implementation approaches
Policy Integration
Frameworks for incorporating mahinga kai into freshwater planning and management processes
Community Engagement
Strategies for meaningful consultation and partnership with Māori communities and knowledge holders
Monitoring Methods
Culturally appropriate approaches to assessing and monitoring mahinga kai health and availability
Restoration Guidance
Practical approaches to restoring degraded mahinga kai sites and enhancing freshwater ecosystems
Capacity Building
Educational resources and training programmes to build understanding and capability across sectors
Moving Forward Together
The successful implementation of mahinga kai as a Māori freshwater value requires ongoing collaboration, commitment, and respect for traditional knowledge. This guide provides the foundation for that journey.
Partnership
Building genuine partnerships between Māori communities, councils, and government agencies based on mutual respect and shared commitment to freshwater health.
Implementation
Putting the guide's frameworks and tools into practice across diverse regional contexts, adapting approaches to local conditions and community needs.
Evolution
Continuously learning from implementation experiences and refining approaches to ensure mahinga kai values are effectively protected and enhanced.
"Mahinga kai connects people with place, tangata with whenua. Through this guide, we provide the tools needed to honour and implement this fundamental relationship in contemporary freshwater management."
This comprehensive guide represents a significant step forward in recognising and implementing Māori values in freshwater management, ensuring that the ancient wisdom of mahinga kai continues to guide our relationship with New Zealand's precious freshwater resources.