Spiritually significant freshwater sources
Before Europeans arrived, Māori lived beside waterways. The waterways were useful for transport and gathering food and materials. These waterways are closely linked to tangata whenua.
Different values and uses
Māori recognise many different types of water and each has different values and uses. Every body of water also has a life force and should not be mixed with water from another source.
Tikanga
Tikanga with water shows the need for the water to be looked after. There are things you can do and things you cannot. There is water you can use and water you cannot.
