Kaitiaki

Kaitiaki a term used for the concept of guardianship, for the sky, the sea, and the land. A kaitiaki is a guardian, and the process and practices of protecting and looking after the environment are referred to as kaitiakitanga and include rāhui and tapu.

The term kaitiaki is also increasingly used in New Zealand for broader roles of trusteeship or guardianship—especially in public sector organisations.