Indigenous Māori of Aotearoa (New Zealand): Environmental Identity, Rather Than Māori Identity Per Se, Has Greatest Influence on Environmental Distress

For the Indigenous Māori of Aotearoa New Zealand, the natural environment has traditionally been an essential source of sustenance, well-being, and identity. Contemporary Māori are situated within a particular sociopolitical history, which, among other systemic changes, has seen continued environmental degradation over time. Accordingly, Māori identity and engagement with and connection to the wider ecosystem have also undergone metamorphosis. Although literature suggests that the natural environment continues to have intrinsic value for many Māori, the impact of environmental degradation on traditional practices, well-being, and identity has remained largely unexplored in some academic disciplines, including Western psychology. In this study, an online questionnaire assessing observed environmental changes, and the relationship between Māori identity, environmental identity, and environmental distress, was administered to 314 Māori. Nearly three-quarters of participants reported witnessing negative changes to local ecology over time, and a decreased ability to engage in traditional environmental practices. Findings revealed a strong association between Māori identity and enhanced sense of environmental connection. Personal connectedness to the environment had the greatest influence on feelings of environmental distress. We discuss these findings in relation to the ongoing systemic and systematic forces that continue to perpetuate inequality and inequity for Māori.