“Water Is Taonga: Kaitiaki, Part 1?” SAMAQAN Season 4 Episode 41

This second program of “Water Is Taonga” illustrates the depth of belief in water as a precious cultural treasure (taonga). As guardians (kaitiaki) of a waterway in Hawks Bay, the McGuire family, members of the Pahutiki Marae, struggle to restore species once abundant in the river. They work to save the eels from extinction and to revive a formerly abundant population of black flounder in the river system. As with many First Nations, the Maori believe they are kaitiaki (guardians) of the environment. Nature is of utmost importance in their stories and legends. To that end, several Iwi's (families) have undertaken tremendous amounts of work in restoring river systems.

This fourth and final series of “SAMAQAN” examines the role of water in culture and spirituality of Indigenous people, their focus on stewardship and the efforts mounted to balance respect for the environment with development.

Directed by: Marianne Jones, Jeff Bear
Produced by: Marianne Jones, Kristy Assu, Jeff Bear