Waika
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Wai means water
Which is why many(not all) streams and rivers have
wai as part of their name. .
Te tirohanga Maaori(The Maaori world view) bestows
great respect to water. It is the source of all life and it
sustains all life. Traditionally when water was collected,
karakia or prayers were offered.
Water has mauri – a life force. The mauri of a stream
or river must be healthy to sustain the ecosystem
surrounding it and to support cultural and spiritual use.