Kaitiakitanga is the role played by kaitiaki. Traditionally, kaitiaki are the many spiritual assistants of the gods, including the spirits of deceased ancestors, who were the spiritual minders of the elements of the natural world. All the elements of the natural world, the sky father and earth mother and their offspring; the seas, sky, forests and birds, food crops, winds, rain and storms, volcanic activity, as well as people and wars are descended from a common ancestor, the supreme god. These elements, which are the world’s natural resources, are often referred to as taonga, that is, items which are greatly treasured and respected. In Maori cultural terms, all natural and physical elements of the world are related to each other, and each is controlled and directed by the numerous spiritual assistants of the gods.

These spiritual assistants often manifest themselves in physical forms such as fish, animals, trees or reptiles. Each is imbued with mana, a form of power and authority derived directly from the gods. Man being descended from the gods is likewise imbued with mana although that mana can be removed if it is violated or abused. There are many forms and aspects of mana, of which one is the power to sustain life. Maoridom is very careful to preserve the many forms of mana it holds, and in particular is very careful to ensure that the mana of kaitiaki is preserved. In this respect Maori become one and the same as kaitiaki (who are, after all, their relations), becoming the minders for their relations, that is, the other physical elements of the world.

As minders, kaitiaki must ensure that the mauri or life force of their taonga is healthy and strong. A taonga whose life force has been depleted, as is the case for example with the Manukau Harbour, presents a major task for the kaitiaki. In order to uphold their mana, the tangata whenua as kaitiaki must do all in their power to restore the mauri of the taonga to its original strength. In specific terms, each whanau or hapu (extended family or sub-tribe) is kaitiaki for the area over which they hold mana whenua, that is, their ancestral lands and seas. Should they fail to carry out their kaitiakitanga duties adequately, not only will mana be removed, but harm will come to the members of the whanau or hapu.