Older Men Gardening on the Marae: Everyday practices for being Māori

Abstract

Like indigenous peoples globally, Māori are over-represented among the homeless population due to processes of colonialism, disruptions and continued socio-economic marginalization. This article explores how, through gardening and other everyday practices, a group of older Māori men who are homeless find respite, reconnection, a sense of belonging, and remember Māori ways of being. We consider how the regular participation of these men also contributes to the reconciliation of the marae (communal complex used for everyday Māori life) space that has been reclaimed by Ngāti Whātua (local Auckland tribe) after a lengthy hiatus. Our analysis foregrounds the importance of core values of manaakitanga (care for others), whanaungatanga (relationships based on shared experience or kinship) and wairuatanga (spirituality) for responses to Māori homelessness.