ABSTRACT. In this paper, we speculate on Māori notions of form and perception. Moving between references to the All – by which all things that exist are one – and to singular entities (which are in fact not just singular but are also the All), we revisit some conventional meanings of Māori terms, with a view to unearthing some concepts which resonate more closely with the All. The purpose of this paper is hence twofold: to excavate some other meanings for three Māori terms – hinengaro (‘mind/perception’), āhua (‘form’) and wai (‘realm of fluid coming-to-be to the point of curiosity’) – that deal with the impact of a form in light of the All; and, very speculatively, to highlight the difference between human and more-than-human perception respectively. Drawing on Māori traditional narrative, we argue that the more-than-human has its own sovereign regard for our form, our form being notable for its manifestation as ignorance. We humans perform for the more-than-human.

Keywords: wai; Māori philosophy; metaphysics; more-than-human; old materialism

How to cite: Mika, C., & Kahi, H. (2025). The form through wā and wai: A Māori more-than-human curiosity. Knowledge Cultures, 13(3), 24–37. https://doi.org/10.22381/kc13320253

Received November 5, 2025 • Received in revised form 26 November, 2025
Accepted November 26, 2025 • Available online December 1, 2025