Over the last decade, E Tū Whānau has worked with whānau, hapū and iwi to develop resources that support their vision for a violence-free Aotearoa.
E Tū Whānau fans helped keep the participants cool at the social workers’ wānanga in Tauranga
These resources – our values booklets, pass-along cards and whakatauki posters – share practical, kaupapa Māori ways of making this vision a reality.
They’re designed to highlight and verify cultural values and traditions and to inspire community led action for change.
Our resources are widely used by whānau in their own homes and by hapū and iwi on marae, in sport clubs and in workplaces. People using them in professional settings – schools, tertiary institutions, prisons, public, mental health and service providers – tell us they prompt discussion amongst whānau about the positive change they want to see in their own lives and in their community.
Social workers check out the E Tū Whānau resources during their wānanga
Regular surveys are carried out to ensure the resources remain relevant. More than half of respondents to the last survey (2017) said they use them extensively, with 85% rating them highly and commenting that they were empowering, easy to relate to, and they help people to have difficult conversations.
Values focused
Te Rangimaria Warbrick is a great fan of E Tū Whānau’s resources. He is a kaiako on the Kaitiakitanga Post Graduate Diploma in Bicultural Professional Supervision studies at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa in Tauranga. He is very clear that they offer valuable historical and social context to contemporary issues.
Kaimahi and students from te Wānanga o Aotearoa in Tauranga
“The focus that E Tū Whānau’s resources place on whānau, the E Tū Whānau values, and importantly, how the values can be put into action, really hits home.”
“The Ancestors series is a good example. The accurate information about the way whānau lived in that period between the arrival of the first European settlers and the onset of full colonisation, always generates kōrero on positive whānau attributes.”
Deeper levels of engagement
Further south in Wairoa, they have been good use of the resources for several years now. Ngaire Sparkes coordinates the E Tū Wairoa initiative, a collaboration of local organisations and people committed to stengthening resilience and the protective factors that contribute to a healthier community free from violence. They participated in the town’s annual Matariki Week for the second time, setting up an E Tū Whānau information table.
“We saw this Matariki event as an opportunity to engage in a meaningful way with whānau by having in-depth conversations about the E Tū Whānau / Wairoa values and how these values strengthen whānau,” says Ngaire.
This year, Ngaire and her team took an E Tu Whanau Values poster, printed it locally and stuck magnets on the back so people could put it on their fridge at home. They also gave away E Tū Whānau helium filled balloons, which proved very popular with tamariki, but there was a twist that worked brilliantly.
Checking out the E Tū Wairoa information
“We asked the tamariki to bring their parents, grandparents or older whānau members back with them in order to receive their balloon and goodie bag. Older whānau members who came to support and awhi their tamariki were in turn able to help us explain the values.”
Ngaire said they were impressed by the gang whānau who came up with their tamariki.
“Through this, they showed so much aroha towards their tamariki. They were really keen to engage and talk with us. It was aroha in action! We are keen to build on this next year.”
What people say
“I think they are brilliant – it gives people the opportunity to reflect on the quality of life they seek for themselves and whānau.”
“E Tū Whānau has dispelled certain illusions whānau have been led to believe. It’s cool to be Māori, and we’re proud to be Māori.”
“Young people said it makes them think and behave differently about how our tupuna viewed the world”
“Fabulous resources, keep them coming! It’s absolutely amazing the noticeable impact your organisation has made on the lives of those within the community.”
“My dad and I now talk to one another. He used to just yell at me and direct me without asking or without any emotion, just speaking. We now talk and I have grown respect for my dad because he had a hard upbringing and no one ever told him they loved him. I love him.”
