Our Name: Raranga Whāriki Papa Moana
‘Raranga Whāriki Papa Moana’ is the name gifted for our research programme in Te Reo Māori. It can be translated as ‘the weaved mat of the seabed’, which connects the wairua (spirituality), the mana (prestige) and the whanaungatanga (relationships) of Ngāti Awa and Tūhua (Mayor Island) through the seabed, joining the two island volcanoes.
The name was gifted by Professor Taiarahia Black at Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiaranga. Prof. Black was the first person to publish his PhD thesis in Te Reo, in 2000. It is an honour to have been gifted a name by Prof. Black, and we thank Tiipene Marr, our cultural engagement advisor for the programme, for his mahi in facilitating this name.
Prof. Black added some comments to the name to add further context to how the words were decided:
Raranga Whāriki (weaved mat) is a metaphor for enhancing the connection, wairua and the mana of the ocean floor with all its interconnecting life variants, element, living life sources.
Papa Moana is the ocean floor, where monitors will be placed.
The research looks at the connectivity, and potential activity of Tūhua and Whakaari and the ocean floor between them (a shared Raranga Whāriki).
The programme is communicating with Tūhua and Whakaari in the spirit of reciprocity, upholding the wairua and mana of the ocean floor, and its distinctiveness.
Each playing its part in the connectivity of Mātauranga Māori, Ngāti Awa, Tauranga Moana, and science.