The case of a change in meaning and its impact

Abstract

Like everything else, language does not remain static; it changes over time to reflect the current environments (Rewi 2012. An active and functional language. In: D. Keenan, editor. Huia histories of Māori: Ngā Tāhuhu Kōrero. Wellington: Huia Publishers; p. 73-92). The Māori language is no exception

Ko ngā kaumātua ngā poupou o tō rātou ao: kaumātua and kuia, the pillars of our understanding

“…Kaumātuatanga is not understood among Māori communities as beginning at any specific age, such as 65. The term refers to the role and status within whānau and community attained by an individual in later life (Keelan et al, 2020; Kepa, 2015). The mana (authority, power) of the marae (tribal meeting grounds) and hapū (kinship groups) are dependent on the well-being of their kaumātua.…”