A review of a book by Keri Opai, published by Upstart Press, Takapuna, 2021. 190 pages. John Meredith wrote this review was written prior to his death earlier this year.

As an introduction to the Māori world (te ao Māori) Tikanga is very accessible. The author is particularly well qualified in terms of his knowledge and experience of te ao Māori and writes in an engaging style. The text includes helpful headings and sub-headings and, on distinctive green pages, the author records personal and often light-hearted reflections that offer further insights. The attractive presentation is increased by each of the nine chapters being introduced with an appropriate two-page full-colour photograph by Tania Niwa.

One of the underlying themes in Tikanga is the need to be respectful, open-minded and willing to learn. These are building blocks for creating relationships with the Māori world and its citizens. For non-native speakers of te reo this begins with learning to pronounce names of people and places correctly and to realise that, unlike English, words in te reo do not become plural by adding the letter S. As the author says, in practical terms taking care to speak correctly is something anyone can do to show respect and to engage with te ao Māori.

Tikanga provides clear explanations of iwi, hapū and whanau, of terms such as tapu and noa, and of welcome processes at any Māori gathering. In regard to pōwhiri or less formal whakatau, although there are shared principles and values Opai states that Māori are not a homogeneous people. There are variations in protocol and it is important to prepare, learn, observe and abide by the host’s customs.

There are many types of hui or gatherings in te ao Māori. Tikanga outlines marae protocol including karanga (the traditional call of the women), moving on to the marae, whaikōrero (formal speech making), waiata and hongi; but, even for those unfamiliar with marae, pepeha or Māori introduction is becoming increasingly common in many situations including that of work life in Aotearoa. More than simply introducing oneself, pepeha is about making connections and weaving people together. In Tikanga Opai has created a template for a pepeha for non-Māori that has potential to connect with a Māori audience without making false claims to indigenous kinship, ancestral mana or ties to the natural environment of Aotearoa. Opai gives particular attention to the protocols and procedures relating to tangihanga, the Māori funeral.

Towards the end Opai makes the wry comment that if there was an authentic bicultural society in Aotearoa New Zealand, everyone would have the same level of knowledge of the Māori world as of the rest of society. This would make a book such as Tikanga unnecessary. He argues strongly that rather than accepting that Pākehā delivered Māori from ignorance and superstition, a determined exploration of our shared history would include a critical assessment of the effects of colonisation and the introduction of religious concepts alien to traditional beliefs. Opai suggests that becoming more familiar with Māori ideas, knowledge, language and customs will aid appreciation of Aotearoa’s bicultural heritage. His heartfelt hope that Tikanga will motivate readers to consider exploring further the boundless Māori universe is a hope worthy of fulfilment.