Publication Type: Journal Article
Publication Year: 2026
Author(s): Amy Cameron
Journal Name: Te Manunui
Volume / Issue: Vol 1, Issue 1
DOI: https://doi.org/10.67466/temanunui.2026.1.1.4
Keywords
tākaro Māori; play theory; ethical pedagogy; Indigenous praxis; community building; inclusive learning
Abstract
This article advocates for the reclamation of place-based tākaro as an expression of resistance, whakapapa, collective memory, and the politics of belonging. It explores how play anchored by whenua reconnects us to pūrākau, hītori, tūpuna, and atua that shape our world. Tākaro Māori is a living practice of whanaungatanga that nourishes hauora, revitalises mātauranga, and disrupts colonial narratives.
This article weaves a vision of tākaro as a path to our Hawaiki Hou, situating tākaro within both Māori epistemologies and global Indigenous practice to highlight the interconnectedness of Indigenous resurgence through play. It argues that intentional, whenua-centred play is a powerful act of decolonisation and resistance against divisive ideologies and legislation, offering connection and compassion over competition.
In a time when communities seek different ways to resolve conflict, heal, and thrive, place-based tākaro emerges as an old yet enduring solution; one that calls us home to ourselves, our landscapes, and each other. This contribution invites further conversation about the role of tākaro in sustaining Māori futures, grounded firmly in mātauranga ki te whenua.
