Environmental Research Institute, University of Waikato
Research - Hamilton, Waikato, New Zealand
Environmental Research Institute, University of Waikato Employees
Environmental Research Institute, University of Waikato Details
Welcome to the Environmental Research Institute at the University of Waikato. The environment around us is fundamental to sustaining a vibrant healthy human population on Earth, and we contextulise this understanding with a traditional story about the Waikato region offered by noted Māori linguist Tom Roa.Nō ngā rā o nehe noa atu te kōrero mō te awa nei, mō Waikato, kāore anō kia puta te ira tangata. Tērā ia ko Maunga Taupiri, i pāngia ki tētehi mate nui. Tahuri ana ngā whakaaro ki tana tungāne ki a Maunga Tongariro, ka tukuna ai e ia tana karere, he mōkai kurī, mā te tungāne hei tuku he wai, e ora ai te tuahine. Ka tukuna mai, engari i tahuti kē ki kō o Hauraki. Nā te kurī i whiu kia haere tika mai ki a Taupiri. Nō te taenga mai ka whai ora ai a Taupiri, ā, ka tukuna te wai kia rere ki tōna pūaha, ki roto o Te Tai o Rehua. Nō reira he wairua, he whakaora, nōna nō Waikato, ka kiia ai e ngā tūpuna, mē he mate, 'Haria ki te wai!'This story is from the ancient times before humans existed. Mount Taupiri became very unwell. Her thoughts turning to her brother Mount Tongariro for help, she sent her pet dog to him, for him to send some healing waters to succour her. The waters were duly dispatched, however the river began to go astray and headed for the Hauraki. The pet dog drove the waters back, and they eventually arrived at Taupiri, bringing their healing powers to her. She then sent them on to Port Waikato, into the Tasman Sea. So there is a spirit of healing in the waters of the Waikato, and our old people say if someone is unwell, 'Take them to the water'.
