Tangata Whenua - Contexts

Contexts

• In the context of tribal descent and ownership of land, tangata whenua are the people who descend from the first people to settle the land of the district, whereas the actual mana may reside with later arrivals.
• At a particular marae, the tangata whenua are the owners of the marae, in contradistinction to the manuhiri or guests. After the welcoming ceremony on a marae, the guests may be afforded the temporary, honorary status of tangata whenua, and may even be invited to participate as locals as the ceremonies continue.
• In the national context of New Zealand, Māori are the tangata whenua, and in this sense the term is equivalent to 'indigenous'.
• Tangata whenua has also become a New Zealand English term with specific legal status.