“Not my God”–Challenging the Usage of ‘Te Atua’ as Māori Terminology for the God of Christianity

Abstract

The usage of the term ‘Te Atua’ for God within Māori contexts has been largely accepted and unchallenged, yet its appropriateness is questioned due to its colonial origins and misalignment with Māori epistemologies. This paper explores the disqualification of ‘Te Atua’ as a Māori term for God through historical analysis and Māori scholarly perspectives. By applying a Kaupapa Māori research rubric which aligns to four statements—1. The source is related to being Māori; 2. Is connected to Māori philosophy and principles; 3. Takes for granted the validity and legitimacy of Māori, the importance of Māori language and culture; and 4. Is concerned with the struggle for autonomy over our own cultural well-being—this paper argues that the term ‘Te Atua’ fails to meet these criteria. I propose that in accordance with Māori epistemologies, we can discern alternative terms for the blanket term ‘God’ that resonates with whakaaro Māori. This paper is a response to the recent Māori language translations of scripture, advocating for the re-indigenizing of the reo Māori bible to make it relevant to an increasingly non-Christian Māori audience and calls for a reimagining of Christianity that is authentically Māori.