Introduction to whakapapa research
Kupu whakataki ki te rangahau whakapapa
Whakapapa is about people: it is a link to
tūpuna, to heritage, to identity. For Māori it is a
taonga, and for many it is also tapu.
Why people search for
whakapapa
There are many reasons why people search for
whakapapa today:
- to find out about their
tuakiri
- to pass on to the
whānau
- for succession to
whenua
- for scholarship grants.
Traditionally
whakapapa was entrusted orally to a member of the
whānau selected to be its
kaitiaki. Today, whakapapa records can be found in various written sources as well as with whānau members. Knowing where or how to start is often the biggest challenge.