MA¯ORI TAONGA PRIDE

New Zealand, perhaps more than any other country I’ve been lucky to live in, has amazing pride for its native animals and plants. I’ve enjoyed scrolling down the Neighbourly feeds, watching members exchanging tips on keeping birds hydrated during summer, filling their gardens with native species, and organising events to plant trees. Here, pı¯wakawaka and ko¯whai are more than symbols on dollar bills and tourist hats, they’re an inherent part of every New Zealander’s life.