About the Charter of Commitment
Māori have developed the Charter of Commitment as a call to action to whānau throughout the country to stand together against violence of all forms, and uphold the tapu and the mana of our people. Violence is a transgression against whānau and whakapapa.
Signing the Charter is a step that anyone can take to encourage debate, action and change.
Read the full Charter below:
We acknowledge that all violence towards whānau is unacceptable within Te Ao Māori, and that such acts of violence are considered a transgression that breach the mana and tapu of the individual, their whānau and their entire whakapapa.
We declare that violence against wāhine and tamariki within whānau is not part of our cultural tradition, and that the actions and solutions that work best for Māori lie within Māori values and practices. Download a copy of the Charter of Commitment here. Read the full text below:
As tangata whenua of this land:
- We will take a stand against all forms of violence within our whānau and communities
- We will acknowledge that violence against wāhine and tamariki is not traditional
- We will assert that any act of violence is a transgression against the whakapapa, mana and tapu of the individual
- We will work to eliminate the risk of harm and build protective factors within whānau and communities to prevent violence
- We will promote the sanctity and tapu of Te Whare Tangata and the whānau
- We will support whānau to exercise rangatiratanga and autonomy over their lives
- We will hold whānau accountable for any acts of violence.
As signatories to this Charter of Commitment, we declare:
- We will uphold the tapu and the mana of our people
- We will consciously live by traditional values (tikanga, aroha, whakapapa, mana/ manaaki, whanaungatanga, kōrero awhi)
- We will take responsibility for our whānau and their wellbeing
- We will ensure our tamariki and mokopuna are nurtured and protected throughout their lives.
As members of whānau, hapū, iwi, community and society:
- We will stand up, speak out and stop any transgressions – violence flourishes where there is secrecy or acceptance
- We will take responsibility, act with integrity and be accountable
- We will support our whānau members to be the best that they can be
- We will be kahukura and provide leadership within our own whānau to enable all whānau members to prosper and soar.
Sign the Charter here:
