KAITIAKITANGA
Kaitiakitanga is described as guardianship or protection. The basic meaning of ‘tiaki’ is to guard, depending on which context is used, it also means to preserve, keep, conserve, nurture, protect and watch over. The prefix ‘kai’ which the verb ‘tiaki’ denotes the agent of action of ‘taki’. Therefore, a kaitiaki is a guardian, keeper, preserver, conservator or protector. The addition of ‘tanga’ denotes preservation, conservation and protection.