Our practice approach

[bird sounds, water sounds and music]

Ko te reoreo a kea ki uta

Ko te whakataki mai a toroa ki tai

He kōtuku ki te raki

He kākāpō ki te whenua

Our manu have many voices within their respective domains. In their place and time, they use these to collectively call out their destiny.

It’s our destiny, place and time to unify our voices for advancing the oranga of all tamariki/mokopuna, children, whānau and families in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The overall design of the tohu represents a Toroa (Albatross) within the stylised shape of the Puhoro. All ancient kōrero detail the sighting of manu as a sign that landfall is near. This kōrero aligns with us coming together united upon our waka, to head in the same direction, on the same course to new beginnings and challenges. The Toroa also represents to soar to great heights, to compete and to succeed.

The Puhoro pattern represents the movement and displacement of water as our waka moves forward into the future, as well as the movement and displacement of air as the Toroa is in flight. With this, we acknowledge that at times there will be great resistance and turbulence.

Within the eye of the Toroa is a white Pītau. This represents te tamaiti and our concentrated focus, our practice lens. Emanating from the eye are 4 ovals woven side by side, representing our aspiration for partnered practice. These represent from the centre: whānau (inclusive of whānau whānui – extended family), hapū, iwi, village, Oranga Tamariki and those who we work alongside.

The pattern on the outer side of the eye is the Raranga pattern (the weave). It represents our binding, our strength and resilience. The imagery on the inner side of the eye is a stylised feather. This reminds us that a korowai always begins with the first feather.

The pattern at the top of the Toroa is Waewae Toroa (the footprint of the Toroa). This represents the spiritual residue of those who have been before us.

The mirrored image creates the tail of a Tohorā (whale), representing the ability to navigate long distances as well as the ability to traverse great depths and to move within a safe close distance to the shallows. The Tohorā also represents the inner strength and resilience required to sustain us through the many challenging journeys ahead. The left imagery represents Te Taha Tane, the right represents Te Taha Wahine. The triangles at the centre represent maunga and whare.

[whale sounds]

With respect to ancient kōrero of many cultures of our world, the Tohorā reminds us that before mankind walked upon the land and before the lands rose from the sea, this was the domain of the Tohorā.

By looking back, we anchor to the past learning, this is our place and time to advance the oranga of all tamariki and whānau.