"For the Maori the past is an important and pervasive dimension of the present and future. Often referred to as the 'ever-present now', Maori social reality is perceived as though looking back in time from the past to the present.

The Maori word for 'the front of' is mua and this is used as a term to describe the past, that is, Nga wa o mua or the time in front of us. Likewise, the word for the back is muri which is a term that is used for the future.

Thus the past is in front of us, it is known; the future is behind us, unknown. The point of this is that our ancestors always had their backs to the future with their eyes firmly on the past.

Our past is not conceived as something long ago and done with, known only as an historical fact with no contemporary relevance or meaning. In the words of a respected Maori elder:

The present is a combination of the ancestors and 'their living faces' or genetic inheritors, that is the present generations. Our past is as much the face of our present and future. They live in us … we live in them.

Therefore, to understand and appreciate Maori treasures one must realize that they continue to stand tall in front of us today."

"Maori people display passion, emotion and intense feelings for their treasures because they are as real to them as their parents, grandparents and children. In a sense they are people and many have personal names and genealogies. They are revered as if they were the ancestors themselves and they are referred to as taonga tuku iho or treasures handed down (from our ancestors). Many of these treasures carry the mana of those who made them as well as the messages and symbols which have relevance in today's world."

(Starzecka)