Our values

A number of hui were held across Aotearoa to find out what people thought would be seen and heard in strong thriving whānau. E Tū Whānau distilled this kōrero into six values: aroha, whanaungatanga, whakapapa, mana manaaki, kōrero awhi and tikanga.

These underpinning values are part of who we are and what makes us strong as Māori. They kept our whānau safe in the past and have the power to do so again. They are protective factors for Māori. Together they create the ‘rope of life’ that joins whānau together and strengthens them. 

Tauawhitia ai koe.
Wrap your whānau in your loving and protective embrace.

Te Herenga o te Whānau - this diagram represents a DNA helix to demonstrate that the dimensions of E Tū Whānau are handed down from the ancestors and are then strengthened by each generation to be handed down to future generations. It has been named Te Herenga o te Whānau to signify 'the rope of life' or the umbilical cord that joins whānau together.
Te Herenga o te Whānau represents a DNA helix to demonstrate that values of E Tū Whānau are handed down from the ancestors . They are strengthened by each generation, to be handed down to future generations. The name Te Herenga o te Whānau signifies ‘the rope of life’ or the umbilical cord that joins whānau together.

Aroha
Giving with no expectation of return

Whanaungatanga
It’s about being connected

Whakapapa
Knowing who you are and where you belong

Mana manaaki
Building the mana of others through nurturing, growing and challenging

Kōrero awhi
Positive communication and actions

Tikanga
Doing things the right way, according to our values

View resources based on the six E Tū Whānau values.

Read stories about what whānau and communities around the motu are doing to express the E Tū Whānau values.