Food is and remains the central pillar to many cultures all around the world, acting as the fundamental need of the people in all societies. The method of te hopu tītī ki Rakiura, has remained a valuable practice in the tribe of Kai Tahu. With the pressure and changes brought from the ‘colonial rule’, the practice of te hopu tītī ki has aided the tribe through the hardest times of colonisation. When foods were scarce, it was a means of hope. That despite the oppression from the Europeans, the tribe still had the unique matauranga that allowed them to support themselves. This practice holds heavy meaning for the people of the tribe, as it was te hopu tītī ki that offered them subsistence through the most difficult times, it was this matauranga that kept the tribe alive. Thus this tradition is continued even till today. As an example of the vivid identity of the Maori people. That although food is no longer scarce nowadays, they still learn and follow their ancestors’ ways, continuing to respect and use that knowledge in their present and future lives. This shapes te hopu tītī ki not only has a means of obtaining food but more of a practice that entails stories and knowledge, the hardships experienced, and the answers learnt.
