* Houses and dwellings: These could be whare (traditional Māori houses), built from materials like timber, flax, and reeds.
* Gardens and cultivated areas: Māori practiced horticulture and grew food crops like kumara (sweet potato), taro, and gourds.
* Land for gathering resources: This included forests for timber, flax, and other resources, as well as waterways for fishing and gathering shellfish.
* Burial grounds: These were often located near the village and were considered sacred spaces.
Key characteristics of a kainga:
* Self-sufficiency: Kainga were designed to be largely self-sufficient, providing for the needs of their inhabitants through agriculture, hunting, gathering, and fishing.
* Community and social structure: They were places of community, with strong social bonds and hierarchies based on lineage and status.
* Sustainability: Māori practices of resource management and conservation helped to ensure the long-term sustainability of their kainga.
* Spiritual significance: Kainga were not just physical places but also held deep spiritual significance, with connections to the land, ancestors, and deities.
Today, the term "kainga" is still used in Māori culture to refer to villages, communities, and even family homes. It represents a concept of interconnectedness between people, their land, and their ancestors.