A new bilingual children’s picture book is bringing the importance of caring for Papatūānuku, protecting the natural environment and nurturing the mauri of the world around us to a new generation of tamariki.
Mauri explores the deep connections between people, te taiao and the Māori values of kaitiakitanga and manaakitanga, encouraging young readers to see themselves as part of the natural world rather than separate from it.
The book has been created by a registered nurse, medical advisor, environmentalist and children’s author who works with kaupapa Māori health and social services provider Te Kupenga Hauora in the Nelson region.
Bringing together experience in healthcare, environmental advocacy and storytelling, the author uses a hopeful approach to introduce tamariki and whānau to concepts that are central to te ao Māori.
Understanding Mauri and Our Connection to Nature
At the heart of the book is the concept of mauri, the life force or vital essence present throughout the natural world.
Within te ao Māori, mauri is an important part of understanding the relationships between people, whenua, wai, ngahere and the wider environment.
The health of the natural world is closely connected to the wellbeing of the communities that depend upon it.
Mauri introduces these ideas through the accessible format of a children’s picture book, creating opportunities for parents, grandparents, teachers and tamariki to explore the responsibilities people share in caring for their surroundings.
Rather than approaching environmental issues solely through the challenges of pollution, climate change and ecological loss, the book places emphasis on hope, connection and the positive difference individuals and communities can make.
Kaitiakitanga and Manaakitanga for the Next Generation
Two important values explored in the book are kaitiakitanga and manaakitanga.
Kaitiakitanga reflects responsibilities of guardianship, protection and care for the environment, grounded in relationships with whenua and the natural world.
Manaakitanga encompasses care, respect, generosity and the wellbeing of others.
Together, these values provide a framework for helping tamariki understand that caring for the environment and caring for people are closely connected.
The book also offers an opportunity to introduce these concepts through both te reo Māori and English, making the story accessible to a wider range of families and educational settings.
For whānau raising bilingual children, books such as Mauri can help reinforce language learning while connecting everyday experiences with Māori values.
Where Health and the Environment Meet
The author’s background in nursing, medical advice and environmental advocacy brings another dimension to the kaupapa.
Health and environmental wellbeing are closely connected, particularly for communities whose cultural identity, food sources, recreation and spiritual wellbeing are linked to the natural world.
Healthy waterways, clean air, thriving ecosystems and strong community relationships all contribute to the conditions in which people can live well.
For Māori, these connections are also reflected in holistic approaches to wellbeing that recognise physical, mental, spiritual and whānau health.
The themes explored in Mauri encourage young readers to consider those relationships from an early age.
Storytelling as a Pathway to Learning
Children’s literature plays an important role in shaping how tamariki understand themselves and the world around them.
Bilingual storytelling can also provide opportunities for children to encounter te reo Māori in familiar, enjoyable settings.
By weaving environmental themes together with Māori concepts, Mauri contributes to a growing body of children’s literature that reflects the language, values and experiences of Aotearoa.
Its emphasis on hope offers a constructive way for adults to discuss environmental challenges with children without leaving them feeling powerless about the future.
A Message of Hope for Tamariki
As Aotearoa continues to confront environmental pressures, Mauri brings attention to the role of education, storytelling and intergenerational knowledge in caring for the natural world.
The book encourages a simple but important conversation: how can the choices we make today help protect the wellbeing of future generations?
For tamariki and whānau, its central message is that people, communities and the environment are connected, and caring for one helps sustain the others.
Through te reo Māori, English and the power of storytelling, Mauri offers a hopeful reminder that the responsibility to care for Papatūānuku can begin with even the youngest members of our whānau.
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