‘A kaitiaki is a guardian, and the process and practices of protecting and looking after the environment are referred to as kaitiakitanga.
The basic meaning of ‘tiaki’ is to guard, but depending on the context in which it is used, it also means to preserve, keep, conserve, nurture, protect and watch over. The prefix ‘kai’ with the verb ‘tiaki’ denotes the agent of the action of ‘tiaki’.
Therefore, a kaitiaki is a guardian, keeper, preserver, conservator or protector.
The addition of ‘tanga’ denotes preservation, conservation and protection.’

'These works give back life to all these individual trees that once stood as ancient forests and gave life once upon a time.'
Joe Kemp