Our Values

1. Kaitautoko kaiarahi: Support and lead at the same time
2. Inclusive: Embracing diversity
3. Responsive: Evolving with the sector

Our Principles

• Treaty-based: The whole organisation demonstrates a collective commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and kaupapa Māori, based on tikanga and kaupapa Māori.

• Youth development is shaped by the big picture and recognises the importance of connectedness of young people. Within that context, we promote strengths-based principles, quality relationships, participation and good information.

What being 'Treaty-based' means to us

Ara Taiohi is a Treaty-based organisation. This means we will demonstrate a collective commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and kaupapa Māori at all levels.

While Māori need to be in leadership roles, the Board as a whole will take responsibility for honouring the Treaty, and tikanga and kaupapa Māori will be among the required skill set for all Board members.

This is based on recommendations from the Māori advisory groups to the organisations that preceeded Ara Taiohi - New Zealand Aotearoa Adolescent Health and Development (NZAAHD) and the National Youth Workers Network of Aotearoa - and from Ngā Kaihoe (or as it was at that time, the Māori Caucus) which provides advise and guidance to the Ara Taiohi board.

Māori leadership in Ara Taiohi operates at three levels:

1. Seek a patron of high status who will accord mana to the organisation by their very involvement.
2. Kaumātua (male or female) who is versed in te reo me ona tikanga to provide cultural advice to the board, (but is not a Baord member).
3. Kaihautū who is versed in kaupapa Māori to sit alongside the chairperson of the Board, provide political advice to the Board, cultural advice for staff and convene Ngā Kaihoe (Māori Caucus). Te Kaihautū and other members of Ngā Kaihoe will have rangatiratanga over some Māori elements of the organisation’s work.

Putting the Treaty partnership into practice will be an ongoing journey.

Based on the experience of Te Wāhanga Māori and Te Rōpū, and research carried out for the Rangatahi Māori Development Project, we believe the best way to meet Māori needs and encourage Māori membership is to do the following things well:

• Whānaungatanga: encourage links with Māori at a local and regional level.
• Tautoko: support those who work with rangatahi Maori, including training.
• Mātauranga: provide accurate information about other members including iwi affiliations and mahi.
• Pūrākau: celebrate good stories and provide exemplars/models of good Māori development.

Ara Taiohi Kaumātua Ruru Hona (Ngāti Kahu, Ngā Puhi) says he’s honoured to be involved in implementing the partnership.