Kainga: People, Land and Belonging

Through his own experience and the stories of his tipuna, Paul Tapsell (Te Arawa, Ngati Raukawa) charts the destruction caused by the alienation of his people from their kainga and whenua, and from each other. Colonialism and capitalism, extraction and exploitation, have diminished Papatuanuku to the point of extinction and the Earth mother now demands that humanity humble itself to restore balance in our relationship with the natural world.

This book calls for action from the Crown to recognise, protect and restore the sovereignty of Kainga communities as promised in Te Tiriti. We must find a way for Pakeha farmers and Maori kainga to work together in true partnership. The application of matauranga Maori is vital if New Zealand is to have any hope of surviving the climate crisis before us.