Spiritual Connections Research

Michaela Richards

Spiritual and religious connections are thoroughly influential in conservation and restoration action on Taranaki Maunga, according to a recently published PHD.

Michaela Richards spent 2021 volunteering on Taranaki Maunga and carrying out research including 50 in-depth interviews with TMP kaimahi, recreationalists and others examining the relationship between religion and conservation in Aotearoa.

The research used Religious Studies frameworks, including concepts of ‘lived religion’ to look at largely secular identities for Māori and Pākehā involved in Taranaki Maunga conservation efforts.

She said there was a wide range of engagement with Taranaki Maunga, particularly about the sacredness of the land and spiritual connection with it, and a lens of spirituality was helpful in articulating people’s connection to the mountain and each other.

Coming from a Religious Studies lens put many non-religious interviewees off to begin with, Michaela said. “I would go out with toutouwai monitoring and on beach cleans and meet people I had emailed who had completely ignored me. They’d realised I had been in touch with them via email and admitted they did not understand how their perspective would be beneficial for the study.”

In general Māori were open about their spiritual and whakapapa connections to the mountain and how that informed their interactions working on it. Many Pākehā spoke about their special and spiritual connection, such as feelings of awe, wonder and deep respect, however, they struggled with articulating it.

“Pākehā can appreciate and relate to Māori connections with the maunga but are cautious about taking over that. It’s a tricky space and acknowledging it is awkward, but the only way to move ahead for conservation.”

Michaela, who is now a Religious Studies teaching fellow at Te Herenga Waka/Victoria University, was also interested in the legal person status of Taranaki Maunga, including the political and legal frameworks stating Māori spiritual connections in the settlement legislation.