Waipounamu Māori
In today's world, Waipounamu Māori has become a topic of great relevance and interest to a wide range of people. Whether due to its impact on society, its relevance in history, its importance in the scientific field, or its influence on culture, Waipounamu Māori has captured the attention of academics, scientists, enthusiasts, and the curious alike. In this article, we will explore different aspects of Waipounamu Māori, from its origins to its impact today, analyzing its implications and relevance in the current context. In addition, we will examine its relationship with other topics and its evolution over time, with the aim of providing a complete and enriching vision of Waipounamu Māori.
Waipounamu Māori are a group of Māori iwi at or around the South Island of New Zealand. It includes the iwi (tribe) of Ngāi Tahu and the historical iwi of Kāti Māmoe and Waitaha, who occupy the island except for its most northern districts. It also includes Te Tau Ihu Māori (upper South Island Māori) iwi, such as Ngāti Toa, Te Atiawa o Te Waka-a-Māui, Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō, Rangitāne, Ngāti Kuia, Ngāti Rārua, Ngāti Kōata and Ngāti Tama.
Many iwi, like Ngāti Toa and Ngāti Tama, also have traditional tribal lands in the North Island.
The name Te Waipounamu for the South Island originates from Ngāi Tahu, the principal Māori iwi (tribe) of the southern region of New Zealand, who utilised the very hard greenstone (jade) to make adzes and other implements, as well as ornaments. Particularly valued was a paler nephrite which the Māori called inanga, gathered in a remote area near what is now called the Dart Valley. Māori named the district wāhi pounamu, meaning "place of greenstone", and the South Island came to be called Te Wāhi Pounamu. This somehow evolved into Te Wai Pounamu which means "the water(s) of greenstone" but bears no relation to the original meaning.
References
- ^ a b Tau, Te Maire. "Te Wai Pounamu". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
- ^ a b "TKM Waipounamu/Rekohu". tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri, New Zealand Government. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
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