​Here in the great Moananui, the vast Pacific Ocean stretches before us, a taonga (treasure) echoing with the waiata (songs) of the deep. For generations, the tohorā – great whales – guided our tīpuna (ancestors), keeping our ocean healthy. But now, a silence hangs where songs once boomed  [listen to the humpback whale song]. Journey into the depths and hear the kōrero (stories) of a rough past. Whalers, with no respect, fished out millions of these magnificent beings. The blue whales plummeted and today the North Pacific right whales teeter on the edge. Though some, like humpbacks, show hope, new threats loom.

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Imagine the harpoon's crack, oil on pristine waters. Our kaumātua (elders) witnessed their plight and cause a break in our whanaungatanga (kinship) with tohorā, once sweet as. Driven by greed for oil, Pākehā (European) whaling ships decimated populations. Millions vanished, some groups by 99%. This wasn't just an environmental disaster; it struck our culture. For Māori and Pasifika, whales are whānau (family), guides with deep wairua (spirits). Our whakataukī (saying), "Terenga tohorā, terenga tangata – Where whale’s journey, people follow," speaks of our deep connection. Their loss left a hole in our tikanga (customs), silencing our ocean knowledge.

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Now, the harpoon is gone, but new dangers face our whale whānau (family). Silent nets suffocate hundreds of thousands of whales every year. Ship noise disrupts their kōrero (conversations) with each other. Ships strike the slow giants especially the big fullas like sperm and right whales. And climate change shifts their kai (food like krill) and navigation paths. Some of them end up beaching. But hope remains, guided by our tīpuna's (ancestors) wisdom. Whale legal personhood – giving them rights – offers a lifeline. Understanding our connection, this gives whales a chance to be themselves, protected by law, blending old ways with the new, empowering tangata moana (ocean guardians) to care for these taonga (sacred beings).

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Imagine the waiata (songs) of tohorā (whales) filling Moananui again, their hīkoi (migrations) charting healthy seas and bringing back a thriving ocean. This isn't just a yarn; it's our duty. Support clever laws, safe havens, and top monitoring to help these ocean champions recover. Science shows healthy whales are vital for our planet, even helping with climate change. Restoring our whale whānau (family) is a long hikoi (voyage), but one we must take together. Respect their mana (authority), back tangata moana (ocean guardians), and support smart plans to ensure the tohorā's (whales) songs echo for generations.

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Their time is running out. Give our whale kin the legal voice they deserve. Sign our petition for whale legal personhood and help us turn the tide for their future!

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