Māori and the Environment

Book excerpt: No one can read this book without feeling incensed that we have allowed the New Zealand environment to deteriorate to the extent that is revealed here. It is not too late to undo the damage. We must all adopt the kaupapa of kaitiakitanga (guardianship) to preserve what we have and to restore the lakes, whenua, streams, rivers, wetlands and foreshore of New Zealand. New Zealand's reputation as a clean green environment is under threat. We ignore the messages in this book at our peril. This is a book for all New Zealanders.