Practice for working effectively with Māori

Ensure the participation of Māori tamariki, rangatahi, whānau, hapū and iwi in decisions affecting them at the earliest opportunity to enhance their wellbeing and safety.

Objective 1 practices may include

Begin engagement with tamariki, whānau, hapū and iwi at the earliest opportunity. In order to engage whānau, hapū and iwi:

• explore whakapapa by identifying and verifying iwi affiliation (both maternal and paternal — this may be connection to multiple iwi and other ethnic groups)
• social worker completes whānau search which aims to include:
  • genogram showing 3 generations inclusive of te tamaiti
  • whakapapa places of significance, such as marae, papakainga, awa
  • chronology of previous/current whānau engagement with Oranga Tamariki  
• identify the nature and quality of whānau, hapū and iwi connections to understand the dynamics of the whānau and those adults of significance and their roles/relationship in the life of te tamaiti
• protect the whakapapa information gathered and return it to te tamaiti and whānau — after we have completed the purpose for which the information was gathered only the genogram (3 generations of information) is kept within Oranga Tamariki records and all other whakapapa information is returned to whānau
• identify and support restoration of whānau relationships with each other and their trust to engage with Oranga Tamariki.

If more support for whānau search is required you may:

• make a referral to kairaranga ā-whānau
• connect with the Oranga Tamariki site that is in the iwi area that the whānau are from, such as Ngāpuhi (make contact and enquiries with the Kaikohe site)
• work with the relevant iwi to identify whānau connections
• access cultural advice to ensure the specific cultural needs of the whānau are fully understood and responded to.

Fully inform whānau, hapū, iwi so they are able to fully participate:

• hold hui ā-whānau to engage whānau, hapū and iwi, exchange information, seek whānau solutions and resources, explain Oranga Tamariki processes
• encourage whānau to hold their own whānau hui and have time together to discuss the situation.

Ensure cultural safety for whānau and staff:

• use consults and supervision
• co-work with a Māori staff member where possible
• seek cultural supervision
• use Māori tools: Te Toka Tūmoana, our Māori cultural framework, Māori models of practice. 

Whakamana te tamaiti: Practice empowering tamariki Māori

Working with Māori: Te Toka Tūmoana

Whānau searching

See and engage whānau, wider family, caregivers and when appropriate victims of offending by tamariki

Use professional supervision

Support, strengthen and assist whānau Māori to care for their tamariki and rangatahi to prevent the need for their removal from home into care or a youth justice response.

Objective 2 practices may include

Engagement with tamariki, whānau, hapū and iwi by:

• seeking the voice of te tamaiti to understand their description of the quality of relationships with whānau members and other significant adults
• using tikanga-based practices to enhance engagement, such as appropriate use of te reo me ōna tikanga (Māori language and cultural practices) using an approach that is responsive and comfortable for the whānau
• identifying the nature and quality of whānau, hapū and iwi connections
• continuing to build on the whānau search and engage in whakapapa research to broaden the whānau network and ability to participate in finding their own solutions and resources to care for tamariki
• accessing the support of iwi/Māori service providers.

Understand the dynamics of the whānau by:

• identifying the whānau roles and healthy relationships of significance and support in the life of te tamaiti
• understanding the vision of tamariki
• identifying and responding to the cultural knowledge of the whānau
• understanding the vision of the whānau for their tamariki
• consulting with whānau about their needs, strengths and resources to care for te tamaiti and support required to meet these
• understand active whanaungatanga networks and those supportive and protective adults for tamariki within this whānau structure.

Use Māori cultural models, tools and networks to assist to understand the whānau needs and provide relevant supports by:

• implementing hui ā-whānau as required to enhance whānau proactive participation in decision-making and actions to prevent removal from whānau
• identifying culturally relevant resources (sucha s programmes, people, funding, cultural, and materials) that can strengthen and assist whānau to care for their tamariki
• connecting whānau with iwi/Māori services who can assist to provide support and grow the whānau connection with their culture
• developing a comprehensive proactive plan of support for whānau that meets their immediate needs as well as promotes and grows their long-term vision and allows them to reclaim their cultural identity
• use cultural supervision to ensure the specific needs of tamariki Māori are consistently promoted and applied.

Whakapapa research

Hui ā-whānau

Our Māori cultural framework

Te Kete Ararau

Working with Māori: Te Toka Tūmoana

If removal from home is necessary, Oranga Tamariki will preference placements for Māori tamariki and rangatahi (including siblings) with members of their whānau, hapū and iwi ensuring support and assistance is provided to meet their needs.

Objective 3 practices may include

Undertake extensive and continued whānau search and whakapapa research to identify safe and healthy whānau, hapū and iwi networks that may provide whakapapa care options for tamariki by: 

• refering to kairaranga ā-whānau, senior Māori practitioner, competent bicultural practitioner, mana whenua, iwi/Māori organisations who have the cultural knowledge and skills to build on the whānau, hapū and iwi connections already identified
• using whānau hui and hui ā-whānau to identify healthy whakapapa care arrangement options
• working alongside iwi and engaging with their whakapapa registers
• engaging the local Māori community networks of the Oranga Tamariki site office in the iwi area that the whānau are from.

When a whakapapa care arrangement is secured ensure:

• hui ā-whānau is held to make transition arrangements and plan for consistent contact to maintain safe whānau connections
• a caregiver assessment is completed to ensure the specific needs (including cultural) of te tamaiti will be actively practised daily, such as access to te reo Māori
• support is provided to enable siblings to be placed together
• tamariki can continue to participate in whānau, hapū and iwi activities and obligations, such as tangihanga, whānau celebrations, marae activities
• the caregivers have whānau respite care readily available.

If a whakapapa care arrangement is not immediately available ensure:

• a short-term care arrangement with Māori caregivers is strongly preferenced
• whakapapa research continues to connect them into a whakapapa placement if longer-term care is required
• a care arrangement with non-Māori caregivers is absolutely last resort and should only ever be considered short term, and cultural connections must be maintained and strengthened
• care arrangements must be supported to enable cultural connection.

Kairaranga ā-whānau

Whakamana te tamaiti: Practice empowering tamariki Māori

Whakapapa research

Hui ā-whānau

Working with Māori: Te Toka Tūmoana

Caregiver support plan

All About Me plan for tamariki in care or custody

Support Māori tamariki and rangatahi to establish, maintain or strengthen their sense of belonging through cultural identity and connections to whānau, hapū and iwi.

Objective 4 practices may include

Ensure tamariki are connected to their whānau, hapū, iwi and marae by:

• supporting them to regularly participate in activities to develop and strengthen their understanding and confidence of their own whānau, hapū, iwi and marae customs and protocols
• providing opportunities for tamariki to deepen their relationships with significant whānau, hapū, iwi members
• creating a pepeha journal and/or life story book as enduring references for te tamaiti to significant whānau, hapū, iwi relationships
• meeting and learning about their Māori/iwi leaders and historically significant tupuna (ancestors)
• learning about the unique cultural traits/legacies of their marae and hapū, such as specific food specialties like tuna (smoked eel) or rēwena bread
• identifying their own ‘mita o te kainga’ (Māori language dialect usually specific to their marae or hapū)
• registering with their iwi.

Deepen tamariki understanding, confidence and comfort with Te Ao Māori by:

• resourcing whānau and caregivers to regularly engage tamariki with their culture in order to positively develop their identity and sense of belonging
• providing tamariki with access to matauranga Māori (Māori knowledge and experiences)
• modeling and using te reo me ōna tikanga (Māori language and culture)
• helping tamariki to explore and understand the history of colonisation and how it impacts on themselves as rangatahi Māori within today's society
• providing stories about traditional customs.

Whakamana te tamaiti: Practice empowering tamariki Māori

Working with Māori: Te Toka Tūmoana

See and engage tamariki

Maintaining a record of important life events

Support, strengthen and assist Māori tamariki, rangatahi and their whānau to prepare for their return home or transition into the community.

Objective 5 practices may include

Ensure tamariki/rangatahi going through placement transition to independence (either returning home or to the community) to strengthen their supports including whakapapa and whanaungatanga by:

• ensuring they have at least 1 whakapapa relationship supporting them to strengthen an enduring relationship with their whānau and Māori culture
• understanding the tamaiti goals/aspirations and provide relevant supports to assist them in developing their independence and confidence as a young adult
• ensuring hui ā-whānau is held to make transition arrangements and plan for consistent contact to maintain safe whānau connections
• providing access to te reo me ōna tikanga and opportunities to gain cultural knowledge
• identifying resources needed to strengthen whanaungatanga for te tamaiti.

Assist tamariki/rangatahi with transition and participation into society as a young Māori adult in order to have a safe and healthy life where they can meet their aspirations and responsibilities by:

• supporting tamariki/rangatahi to understand their rights as a young Māori adult
• understanding and enacting their obligations and roles within their whānau
• providing information to connect them with their local community resources and Māori networks
• ensuring they have information and support to assist with developing adult relationships and responsibilities, such as intimate partner relationships, being responsible for finances/paying bills and other
• assisting with access to information and services that support them.

Whakamana te tamaiti: Practice empowering tamariki Māori

See and engage tamariki