This mauri stone was found on Moutohorā (Whale Island) in the Bay of Plenty. Māori believed that the life principle or mauri of a forest, tree or waterway could be concentrated into a stone or other object for protection.
Transcript
A tree or a plant, the very fact that it has life, that a rock has life, it has this spirituality about it. It has this mauri and that it is part and parcel of a total environment and that the feelings of a person includes all these things so that in looking at a tree you don't only see a tree but you see a living thing. A living thing which is saying things to its talking, the fact that it is growing that it is sprouting its leaves, it is a living thing and it's talking to you in such a way that you feel something for it. You feel at peace with it. You feel at harmony with it.
Using this item
Auckland War Memorial Museum Tamaki Paenga Hira
Reference: 44120
Audio: Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision Reference: 44120. Not to be used without permission.
Permission of the Auckland War Memorial Museum Tamaki Paenga Hira must be obtained before any re-use of this image.