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Te Tiriti

The values of Te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi) reinforce the importance of supporting Māori people to determine their own course of life (tino rangatiratanga). Supported decision-making is one way to do this at a day-to-day level.

What does te Tiriti say?

Te Tiriti o Waitangi has been described as Aotearoa New Zealand’s own statement of human rights. Te Tiriti provides the basis for the relationship between the Government and Māori. Some of the main promises in the treaty are:

  • to work together and recognise Māori in decision-making.
  • to work to make sure that Māori have equal opportunity and outcomes.
  • to actively protect Māori knowledge, values, language, and other taonga (valued things).

Te Tiriti and supported decision-making

When we think about supported decision-making with a Māori decision-maker, the values of te Tiriti can help guide us. Some important ideas are:

  • Whanaungatanga: making a connection and understanding relationships with others.
  • Mana: upholding the dignity of the person and whānau.
Partnership
  • We are committed to working together.
  • We make an effort to have genuine relationships.
  • We are ready and willing to use supported and collective decision-making approaches, such as decision-making with whānau.
Participation 
  • We respect the person.
  • We respect the whānau.
  • We seek to understand their hopes for a full and meaningful life.
  • We recognise and combat the inequities and discrimination that make it harder for Māori people to have equal opportunities and outcomes
Protection
  • We are committed to knowing, respecting and valuing:
    • who people are
    • where they come from 
    • what they bring with them.
  • We support Māoritanga (Māori culture and ways of being) from the person's point of view, recognising that people have different experiences.

Find out more

Updated on 21 January 2025
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