Story by Tai Walker

Main image: Māori toddler Dante Davis

Description of whānau

Māoriwhānau traditionally:

• were a family group of parents, grandparents, children and uncles and aunts
• lived in the same buildings
• worked together to support the wholewhānau
• had common ancestors.

Although not many people live like this now,whānau ties are still very strong.

Individual members ofwhānau are encouraged to express themselves, and the strength of thewhānau is the contribution that all the individuals make.

Whānau can be ‘whānau ake’ the immediate family, or a whole extended group of great grandparents, cousins, uncles and aunts and children and grandchildren.

People who have died, or ex-partners of divorced people, are still seen aswhānau members.

Whānau is also used as a name for friends, or for a group with a common purpose.

Whānau, hapū and iwi

Whānau,hapū (subtribe) andiwi (tribe) all depend on each other, and there was traditionally no hierarchy. Governments often prefer to negotiate atiwi level and this changes traditional practices.

Whānau,hapū andiwi are joined together bywhakapapa (genealogy).

Tuakana–taina

Tuākana are the older brothers of a male or the older sisters of a female. Taina are the younger brothers of a male or younger sisters of a female. Tuakana–taina relationships are an important aspect ofwhānau.

Whāngai

Whāngai is a Māori form of fostering. Children may stay with anotherwhānau for months, years or for good.