Wairuatanga

This involves connecting with tamariki, rangatahi, whānau and others by developing and attending to relationships in ways that generate a shared understanding of the lived experience of tamariki, rangatahi and whānau and their aspiration for oranga.

This supports us to make decisions and co-develop a plan.

• I think about ways I can create an environment that is safe for whānau to express themselves in situations of harm​.
• I am careful about the language I am using, knowing that jargon is not mana-enhancing for tamariki, rangatahi, whānau and others.
• I am conscious that my beliefs and values may be at odds with others who hold different worldviews, values, or beliefs and I have ways of suspending this to ensure I am present and able to build understanding.
• I understand there is distinctiveness and diversity of wairuatanga across whānau, hapū and iwi.
• I understand the value of hearing the diversity of thought from whānau (for example, wāhine, tāne, tuakana, teina, koroheke, kuia) and how this will deepen my understanding of harm and risk of harm impacting oranga.
• I consider the significance of any previous history the organisation has had with this whānau and sensitively navigate building a relationship.
• I talk about how beliefs and values can be protective and support oranga.
• I have an awareness of what is happening between us – not just words, but the spaces in between​ and I attend to this.
• I acknowledge the wairua and mauri in others when they share how they are thinking and feeling.

This involves working with tamariki, rangatahi, whānau and others in ways that minimise barriers and facilitates the participation and co-development of plans to achieve an agreed outcome.

• I work with whānau to determine where and when they feel most comfortable meeting to create a sustainable tiaki/safety plan.
• I ensure that we plan together about what we are each going to do before our next hui and I seek permission to talk to others (for example, whānau, community partners).
• I will keep the whānau story and their aspirations for oranga at the forefront.
• Together we identify key people in paternal and maternal whānau; and we plan together on how to involve them.
• I explicitly include those Māori beliefs and values that whānau have, in our plans to address harm and risk of harm.
• I understand that all tamariki and rangatahi have the right to be with their whānau, hapū and iwi – I think about how I will work in ways that enable the continued connection to whakapapa.
• I am transparent with whānau about the things I need to take away and discuss with my colleagues and explain what my next steps will be.
• I regularly check in with whānau and others about our progress.
• I take time to acknowledge challenging or difficult past experiences with Oranga Tamariki that may have caused harm, anger or mistrust and create an opportunity for restoration.

This involves reflecting with tamariki, rangatahi, whānau and others to learn about their journey by identifying successes and challenges, solutions for maintenance and to celebrate.

• I reflect on whose narrative I am preferencing – it would be easy to get swayed by whānau and/or professionals and their views about what safety and oranga looks like.
• I use supervision to discuss the difficult conversations I need to have with whānau when we don’t agree about safety.
• I understand my te ao Māori learning journey is continuous – there is always more to know and understand.
• I seek supervision to discuss what I have learned and what has impacted on me. We make sense of the mahi together and decide next steps.
• I reflect on any bias, triggers, or dynamics that may have arisen due to differing worldviews, values or beliefs and use supervision to talk these through.
• I regularly check in with tamariki, rangatahi and whānau to reflect on our shared values and beliefs to ensure we are working together to create sustainable change.
• I reflect with whānau on how the values and beliefs they hold can contribute to harm or tiaki for their tamariki and rangatahi.
• I reflect on whānau understanding of the history that they have with Oranga Tamariki and discuss in supervision ways that I can create a pathway for restoration.
• I reflect with those who have supported me to work with whānau (kairaranga ā-whānau, mana whenua, hapū, iwi, hoa haere, pā whakawairua).