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Taewa are described as a taonga, a treasured possession whose care and
conservation is a matter of historical record and contemporary pride and
interest for Maori (Lambert, 2007). Grower 2 builds on this description
commenting that “…we say that we had a whakapapa to them [taewa]”. Part
of the reason taewa are held in such high regard is that they provide a link to
a most precious resource – the whenua. Although taewa are considered a
special crop in their own right, they can also facilitate a connection, a
traditional link to the whenua for Maori. By cultivating taewa, growers are able
to connect with the land in a traditional manner of caring and nurturing,
continuing a relationship Maori have shared for generations.
A traditional Maori worldview is based on whakapapa and represents a means
for describing and relating aspects of the world we live in including all
components of the whenua. The association with whakapapa and Maori
identity has shown that taewa production has contributed to the well-being of
Maori in this case study and can positively contribute to Maori sustainable
development.
5.2.2 Maori values
Rokeach (1968: 60) suggests that values are located centrally within people’s
overall belief system, and provide the standards against which we generate
and maintain attitudes towards the world (both tangible and intangible) around
us. Described as ‘abstract ideals’ (both positive and negative) and ‘moral
conceptualisations’, values are learned and enduring (Rokeach, 1968: 124).
Traditional values are highly relevant in modern day Maori society and
fundamental for forming principles and a guiding philosophy for culturally
based sustainable development (Harmsworth, 2002). Grower 1 illustrates the
relevance and significance of traditional Maori values as an application of
Maori identity:
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