Story: Kaitiakitanga – guardianship and conservation

Whai (stingray)

Whai (stingray)

In the Te Whānau-ā-Apanui tribal area the whai (stingray) is seen as a kaitiaki (guardian), which protects the areas where shellfish are harvested. It was believed that if people followed the right tikanga (customary practices), the stingray would ensure there were plenty of shellfish.

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Learning Media Ltd
Reference: Te Wharekura 48. Wellington: Learning Media Ltd, 1995.

This material is reproduced by permission of the publishers, Learning Media Ltd, PO Box 3293, Wellington, New Zealand.

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How to cite this page:

Te Ahukaramū Charles Royal, 'Kaitiakitanga – guardianship and conservation - Kaitiaki – guardians', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/artwork/11593/whai-stingray (accessed 20 April 2024)

Story by Te Ahukaramū Charles Royal, published 24 Sep 2007