One of the most important rituals for Tangata Whenua is the whenua ki te whenua rite. It is an ancient dedication rite acknowledging Papatūānuku and wahine as the source of life. Following birth we bury the placenta (whenua) of pēpi in Papatūānuku the earth, connecting pēpi to the abundance of the planet.

This ritual is most often conducted in the hau kainga to reaffirm ahi kā. Some whānau, however, place the whenua in a pot plant or bucket of soil with a lid if they live away from home. It naturally turns to soil in the bucket. This can be taken back to the homelands or buried somewhere quiet and significant at a later stage.