traditional knowledge conference 2008 te tatau pounamu

Te WānangaWānangaTraditional KnowledgeProcess of understanding, content of knowledge,higher realm of understandingIra Atua:Deeds & ContributionsTheogenyAttributesActs, gifts, deedsGifts to human beings &the environmentWāhi Ngaro:Spiritual WorldSanctified realmCommunication/understanding fromancestors & teachersIra Tangata:Intrinsic KnowledgeReceivers of gifts fromAtuaInterwoven relationshipwith the environmentWānanga TaketakeTraditional Indigenous KnowledgeFigure 2. Te Wānanga.Implications for ResearchThe purpose of this paper is to prompt discussion on the place of mātauranga Māori in research and thelimitations of describing it in a definitive way. There needs to be more research done on the place ofwānanga as a legitimate process for gaining higher understanding but prior to this occurring thewhakaheke of Atua Māori needs to become a starting point for discussion. By doing this, the “creationof knowledge” becomes a moot point and is not influenced by the struggle for validation of Māoriknowledge. Therefore, this removes mātauranga Māori from the socio-political arena where it currentlyresides so that it does not become subject to contemporary influences that seek to defend its existence.Rather we must look to understand its origins, and in doing so we can begin to rediscover its creativepotential and applicability to any given context.GlossaryatuahapūIo Matua Koreira Atuaiwikaupapakaupapa Māorimātauranga MāoriMāori godssub-tribeFatherless One; Supreme Beingprinciples or attributes of the godstribe, tribalscheme; issueMāori issue of importanceMāori knowledge239