Quality Statements

A Kaupapa Māori (our way of being / doing) approach underpins all work that we undertake. 

Whether we are working directly with indigenous communities, working with organisations to understand indigenous people or working with indigenous people from other Nations / countries, KTCL has to be true to itself. We will adopt an approach based on tikanga Māori (traditional Māori concepts) as that is who we are and where we come from. We do not try to be anything but ourselves as a sign of respect to the indigenous people we work with and for. In our Canada and Hawai’i offices we know we are visitors to the territories and lands of other indigenous peoples and in that respect we will honour our hosts and the people of those territories. We will know our place as visitors and reflect our own kaupapa Maori way of doing things in honour of our own people.

To demonstrate our commitment to Te reo and tikanga Māori, we have developed internal standards that guide the work that we do. A Kaupapa Māori framework of standards is an adaptable tool which guides working relationships and engagement processes to ensure that practices are robust and culturally appropriate for our clients.

Nga Tikanga Whakahaere: KTCL Kaupapa Maori Standards

HE KAHUI MAUNGA



• WAIRUATANGA: Including moemoeā and matakitetanga – the vision of the organisation; Recognising and respecting other belief systems; Recognising that wairuatanga is an integral component of an individual along with taha tinana (physical), taha hinengaro (intellectual), and taha Māori (family); Integrating wairua into all practices; Encouraging spiritual well-being and development through regular hui and Care For Us (CFU) days; Ensuring that adequate time is allowed for personal reflections
• MANA: Building, valuing, promoting and protecting the reputation of KTCL; Recognising and respecting the authority and reputation of whānau, hapū, iwi and Māori groups around the country; Continually striving to further develop our reputation; Valuing client feedback as a mechanism for maintaining or developing our reputation
• TIKANGA MAORI: Promoting Mātauranga Māori as appropriate research, evaluation and analysis frameworks; Promoting and using te reo wherever possible and constantly; Being familiar with marae protocols and being prepared for cultural engagements; Encouraging fellow staff to use and develop te reo me ōna tikanga



• WHAKAPAPA: Understanding and celebrating the origins of the wider organisation and the whakapapa of the individuals within it; Understanding the organisation and its place in the indigenous community development sector; Acknowledging that the whānau of staff/employees are the extended whānau of the Company; Caring for team mates who are undergoing personal stress; Being honest with each other in their best interests and in the interests of the team ; Understanding that all projects are everyone’s projects 
• KAIRANGI: Maintaining high standards of professionalism and ability; Maintaining and valuing high standards in the work we do; Identifying people’s skills and strengths and working from that basis; Practicing humility in front of other staff ,whānau and clients; Not being afraid to say “I need help” or “I don’t know the answer – but I will find out”; Focussing on our core business of indigenous community development

• MANAAKITANGA: Valuing our people and clients; Expressing acknowledgment of another’s mana, respecting another’s point of view, perspective and behavior; Supporting one another and showing hospitality to manuhiri (visitors) and consumers; Ensuring that we manaaki mahuniri at all times; Manaaki whānau of our fellow staff and welcome them in at all times; Exercising manaaki – ‘aki’ is to lift so Mana aki is the ‘lifting of mana’ Playing a guardianship/protectionist role for some information and knowledge that we receive from clients and communities
• KAITIAKITANGA: Nurturing, consolidating, developing and expanding client organisations so that they can continue to fulfil their functions and duties within their own communities; Strengthening organisations to work with their community; Supporting community initiatives; Developing the skill base of clients where possible; Respecting views and beliefs of clients and support/advise on issues where necessary; Empowering client organisations in the areas they work in; Promote and support Māori and Pacific peoples to develop sustainable communities; Uplifting the mana of others to facilitate them on their own journey
• TAUTOKO: Empowering Māori by aspiring and working towards being a TOW based organisation and increasing capability to engage with, and respond to, Māori; Focussing on positive outcomes for whānau and communities and national Māori development; Conveying to people that we are there to support –it’s about who we are giving awhi to; Practicing awhi which is aligned well with tautoko. Embracing of people. Respect for people and who they are, where they’re from and where they’re going