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 identity
- 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 caretaker.