Preface

Photo credit: Wire Stock

Introduction: meeting the Ocean [for the first time]. On the 20th March 2017 the New Zealand government enshrined into law that the Whanganui River is a legal entity, having rights and responsibilities just as a human person. This was perceived as a massive victory for Ma¯ori in getting their understanding of the river recognized in a contemporary Common Law system, and points to the central question of this preface - who is the Ocean from Indigenous and traditional viewpoints? It points to acknowledgement of the Ma¯ori worldview for not just the rivers but the Ocean and all life on Earth. The Future Seas 2030 initiative and associated research is starting from a profound new point of departure - Who is the Ocean? This Preface captures the voices and knowledge of the involved Indigenous and local-traditional peoples, communities and authors who are working together with marine practitioners to assess, study and ultimately save our Mother Ocean.