Page 22 - Kete 1 Resource Book

Understanding Māori Values
Learning is about empowering ourselves with knowledge, so that we can empower and support others.
Empowerment is gaining power through having knowledge of a subject or topic, yourself as a person and systems or ways of doing things.
By having knowledge you will be able to:
• understand the values of others
• understand your own values and how these might impact on others
• understand your organisation and how it works
• advocate for a person you are supporting
• better help and support others
• understand the importance of Māori values.
Why is learning about Māori values relevant to me?
Learning about Māori values is important if you:
• identify as Māori.
• support someone who identities as Māori
• work for a service provider who provides services to Māori and non-Māori
• work for a Māori health or social service provider
• wish to work in a way that is culturally safe
• want to work in a way that is respectful to the person’s culture
• wish to build relationships with the people you support.
How do I gain knowledge about Māori values?
There are many ways you can gain knowledge about Māori values. You gain knowledge by:
• attending hui, seminars, courses and conferences on Māori values
• finding out what your own values are
• finding out about the values of the people you are supporting
• discussing Māori values with people whose opinion you respect
• completing this learning and assessment
• seeking advice from members of your team or you manager/supervisor and actively sharing what you learn with each other
• seeking advice from Family Works’ Māori Cultural Advisory Team
• seeking advice and guidance from your local Marae.
• reading books, watching DVDs or listening CDs that examine Māori values
• joining a Te Reo class (free courses are often run in the evenings at community centres and high schools)
• completing the Mauri Ora course run by MO 1, a subsidiary of Te Wānanga o Aotearoa (free of charge)
• attending a Treaty of Waitangi or nationhood building course such as Te Pūmaomao
• attending a Tikanga course (usually provided by local tertiary institutes).
Page 22
PSC FW - Māori Cultural Awareness Kete 1 | Published 2017