Whangai (Adoption)
Maori had no institution which paralleled adoption. While it was relatively common for children to be given to someone other than their birth parents to be raised, there was no substitution of parents, no sense in which a mythical nuclear family had to be recreated. The child was born and remained a child of the Whānau. The child had an absolute right to know his or her whakapapa. Reasons for giving a child to someone other than birth parents to raise included the strengthening of Whānau structures through the securement of enduring bonds, benefiting couples without children, and providing relief for those under stress. Most importantly, there was no expectation that such arrangements had to be permanent: “There is no property in children. Maori children know many homes, but still, one Whānau”. And there was absolutely no stigma attached. If anything, whangai children were often considered especially fortunate. Pere, who was raised until the age of seven by her grandparents, refers to herself as “a grandchild who was truly blessed and loved”. Whangai children were generally regarded as special, often having been chosen by elders on the basis of their talents and their potential.
An “adopted” child is called a Tamaiti Whangai.
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About Pete
Plucky polymath, software engineer by day, dreamer of dreams by night. Longing to behold and beget beauty and love, Kōtiro is an expression of my passion for the magic of the world in which we find ourselves.
Kia ora, I am wanting to do a research project on concept of whangai, having been whangai myself. Can you put me in the right direction in regards to articles, people, literature, studies etc?
I would greatly appreciate any tautoko.
Jesse Graham
Tauranga
I wish I had some specific insight or source of information, but unfortunately I do not. I would start with college professors in NZ, anthropologists maybe. They tend to be very knowledgeable and easily accessible via e-mail or phone. Good luck!
Kia ora Jesse, I have been writing my thesis for my masters paper on ‘whāngai’ and would love to help if i can. I have found some wonderful readings. I have raised three children and come from a whānau who pracitice whāngai and have done so where it can be tracked for the last five generations. Love to help if i can. Rotorua
Nga mihi ki a koe.
Im a whangai. To be honest it was something I took for granted as a child. Im the oldest grandchild of my family. The first in my whakapapa line, and lived with Nanny and Koro on and off my whole life. I was also sent to my mothers older sister for various reasons, but ALL positive. There was never any negative connotations attached to each move. While my connection to my Nan (Koro passed away) is much stronger than the one i share with my parents, I now appreciate the gift I was given by living with Nan and Koro. This article was wonderful to read. You say the things that I only thought of in the quiet spaces of my mind.
Tena Koe
Pare
Thanks for writing Pare, it warms my heart that you are so very blessed 8)
Hi there
I am currently seeking information about whangai. i am pregnant with a baby girl and would like to know more.. Many of my family want to take her. and not all are maori and understand my wishes.. which way do i go?
i was reading the comments,my koro with whom i was raised brouight up 13 of us as far as i know, he die dwhwn i was seven, and dint know much about who he was, i knew him as dad, i later learnt he was a tohunga, and a ratana minister until he gave up in the realisation he needed no church to believe in the creator. so im now trying to find out more about him. as far as research on whangai there wasnt much when i did my studies, but when i came to Awanuiarangi ki Whakatane, i found the most valubale sources where from the koroua and kuia who live in the area, and whakatane has heaps of maori’s, i dont think many maori saw any reason to write about it as it was an everyday thing. its not until”serious” academic study” initiated by government departments became interested in our “strange and posibbly dangerous” cultural practices! so its most likely your thesis(jesse) will be one of the few out there!, most maori who practice it still, just do it and wont tell official channels in fear that syfs mite get involved.