Tiaki Promise - Care for New Zealand
Tiaki – Care for New Zealand was created through a collective desire to share a connection to the natural world, inspiring and helping visitors to travel safely and conscientiously.
In Aotearoa New Zealand, people have a strong connection to the place around them. Tangata whenua (people of this land) see nature as something intrinsically intertwined with their own lives. For Māori, every mountain, every river, every tree has a story. These stories form part of their own identities and help to shape their place in the world.
Tiaki invites us all to look at the world through this indigenous lens. To form a deeper connection with place, and to reflect this in our attitudes and behaviors.
To commit to travelling in this way is to take the Tiaki Promise.
The Tiaki tohu (symbol) represents four atua (Māori spiritual beings) who in turn represent four key elements that make this place so special. Its presence is a reminder for us all to travel in accordance with the principles of Tiaki and is often accompanied by information to help us do so.
- Ko Ranginui e tū iho nei - Ranginui is our Sky Father
- Ko Tāne Mahuta nāna te ngahere - Tāne Mahuta is our Forest
- Ko Papatūānuku e takoto nei - Papatūānuku is our Earth Mother
- Ko Tangaroa nāna te moana - Tangaroa is our Ocean.
Tiaki is a Māori word that loosely means to care, conserve, and protect. It is a significant part of Māori culture and can be found in important cultural concepts such as kaitiakitanga.
