Hutia te rito o te harakeke, kei whea te kōmako e kō?Ki mai ki ahau; he aha te mea nui o te Ao? Māku e kī atu, he tangata, he tangata, he tangata!

In Pā Harakeke, the whenua is the earth in which the harakeke takes root and lives. It represents Papatūānuku, the Earth Mother, who nurtures and sustains all life. The harakeke cannot grow without this grounding foundation - it is in the whenua that the pakiaka (roots) dig deep, drawing nourishment, stability, and strength.

Whenua is not only physical; it is spiritual, ancestral, and relational. It connects Māori to their whakapapa, to their tūpuna (ancestors), and to the places they call home. For Māori, connection to whenua is a source of identity, wellbeing and belonging; to know one’s whenua is to know oneself.

How this informs our approach

In our practice, whenua represents both the literal and symbolic grounding of our mahi. For Relate Services, this means:

• We respect, honour and actively work to uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi as a guiding foundation for all our responsibilities and relationships. We are committed to decolonising our practice, organisation and systems.

• We recognise that the oranga (wellbeing) and identity of every tamaiti (child) and whānau (family) is influenced by their connection (or disconnection) to whenua, both physically and spiritually.

• We actively work to honour, strengthen and restore connections to land, cultural identity, belonging, and place, knowing these are essential foundations for the oranga of tamariki and whānau.

In Pā Harakeke, the rito is the central shoot of the harakeke plant - the youngest, most vulnerable part, representing the tamaiti (child).

The rito is always protected and never cut. Surrounding it are the awhi rito (parent fronds), which shield and nurture the rito, ensuring its growth and survival. This structure reflects the centrality of tamariki in whānau, hapū and iwi - they are taonga, carriers of whakapapa and the heartbeat of future generations.

The wellbeing of the rito depends entirely on the strength, health and support of the surrounding fronds. If the rito is damaged or removed, the whole plant suffers or dies. This metaphor reminds us of the collective responsibility to nurture and protect our tamariki, ensuring they grow in safe, loving, and culturally affirming environments.

How this informs our approach

In our practice, the rito represents the child at the centre of all our mahi. For Relate Services, this means:

• We place tamariki (children) at the heart of our practice, recognising their inherent tapu, mana, and potential. All decisions, actions, and supports are shaped around what is in the best interest of the child - not just for today, but for future generations.

• We recognise tamariki as rights-holders, in accordance with Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. We uphold their rights to protection, participation, development, identity and belonging.

• We are committed to ensuring tamariki can remain within the care of their whānau, hapū and iwi, wherever possible. We uphold mana tamaiti, and we work in partnership with whānau to prevent separation, promote whakapapa connections, and ensure cultural identity is nurtured and never lost.

• We understand that protecting the rito means strengthening the whole plant. We work to support whānau, caregivers, and systems so that tamariki are surrounded by aroha, stability, and culture.

• We affirm tamariki Māori as tangata whenua, with the right to grow up connected to their whakapapa, whenua, reo, and tikanga. We advocate for culturally grounded pathways of healing, growth and oranga.

In Pā Harakeke, the awhi rito are the leaves that directly surround and protect the rito. These fronds are the immediate caregivers, often representing mātua (parents), caregivers, and others who provide close nurturing and shelter to the child. They are vital to the growth and wellbeing of the rito—without strong awhi rito, the child cannot thrive.

For Māori, this reflects the central role of whānau in raising tamariki. The awhi rito not only provides care, but instils values, identity, and a sense of belonging. They are the first teachers, protectors and connectors of whakapapa. When the awhi rito are supported and strong, the whole pā harakeke flourishes.

How this informs our approach

In our practice, the awhi rito represents the parents, caregivers and whānau members who are responsible for nurturing tamariki. For Relate Services, this means:

• We work in partnership with whānau and caregivers, recognising that they are the primary source of strength, identity and healing for tamariki. We seek to uplift and empower them, rather than judge or displace.

• We believe that safe, supported whānau grow safe, thriving tamariki. Our role is to walk alongside whānau, offering tools, resources, and culturally safe support that enables them to grow in confidence, capability and wellbeing.

• We are committed to working in ways that enhance mana. We actively avoid deficit-based approaches, and instead focus on strengths, whakapapa, potential and relational healing.

• We recognise that at times, awhi rito may be overwhelmed, unsupported, or in need of healing themselves. We hold compassion and care for whānau, and seek to create space for their growth, restoration and reconnection.

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In Pā Harakeke, pakawhā are the old, withered fronds found near the base of the plant. These fronds have completed their role in sheltering and protecting the rito and awhi rito, and naturally fall away, returning to the whenua. But even in their decay, they continue to nourish the soil - contributing to regeneration, growth, and the life of the plant.

In a practice context, pakawhā symbolises the experiences that shape us - both positive and painful. They include our professional and personal histories, our failures and successes, and our lived and inherited journeys.

For tamariki and whānau, pakawhā may represent intergenerational trauma, healing, or cultural traditions and knowledge. For practitioners, they may include reflective learning, burnout, breakthrough moments, and ongoing transformation.

How this informs our approach

In our practice, pakawhā represents the importance of learning from lived experience - our own, and that of the whānau we walk alongside. For Relate Services, this means:

• We recognise every whānau and practitioner brings with them a kete of lived experience - both nurturing and painful. We seek to understand and learn from these stories with compassion and respect.

• We believe every experience, positive or challenging, can offer insight and growth, if held safely and reflected on well. This applies equally to tamariki, whānau and kaimahi.

• We support kaimahi to reflect on their own experiences through supervision, wānanga, and collective learning, honouring vulnerability and resilience as sources of wisdom.

• We understand that some experiences carry mamae (hurt), whakamā (shame), or whakamomori (distress). We create space for a journey of healing, not just for those we serve, but for the kaimahi doing the mahi.

• We honour the strength in acknowledging through mistakes, we learn. We work in ways that do not punish failure but hold space for transformation.

The pakiaka are the roots of the plant, buried deep within the whenua. These roots provide the invisible but vital strength that nourishes, stabilises and anchors the harakeke. While they may be hidden from view, they are what keep the plant alive, healthy, and connected to Papatūānuku.

In a practice context, pakiaka symbolises the core values, cultural understandings, personal beliefs, and ethical foundations that sustain both practitioners and the whānau we work with. For Māori, this includes te ao Māori, tikanga, te reo, pūrākau, and mātauranga Māori - sources of identity, connection, and healing.

For tamariki and whānau, these roots represent their whakapapa, cultural narratives, and inherited strengths. For practitioners, they are our why - the beliefs and values we carry into our mahi, and the worldviews that shape our relationships and decisions.

How this informs our approach

In our practice, pakiaka represent the deep cultural, ethical, and personal foundations that shape how we work with whānau and tamariki. For Relate Services, this means:

• We are committed to embedding te ao Māori and tikanga within our practice at every level, acknowledging that these roots are not optional but essential to the wellbeing of tamariki Māori and their whānau.

• We support our kaimahi (staff) to know and reflect on their own pakiaka (their values, cultural identity, ethics, and motivations) and how these influence their mahi. This includes understanding our own biases, assumptions and lived experiences.

• We draw from kaupapa Māori, mana-enhancing practice, and mātauranga Māori to guide our decisions and relationships. These frameworks keep our practice grounded, relational, and culturally safe.

• We recognise that each whānau also has their own pakiaka (their whakapapa, tikanga, beliefs, and strengths). We take time to understand and uplift these, ensuring whānau identity and values are at the centre of any support.

• We believe sustainable practice grows from strong roots. When our pakiaka are nurtured, we can better withstand challenges, navigate complexity, and support oranga for tamariki and whānau.

In the Pā Harakeke, kōhatu are the stones that lie within the pakiaka and whenua, helping the plant manage water and prevent rot. While small, these stones are essential for the wellbeing of the harakeke as they regulate, protect, and maintain the health of the entire system.

In our mahi, kōhatu represents the ethical principles, professional boundaries, and cultural safeguards that guide our relationships with tamariki, whānau, and each other. They help us navigate tension, avoid harm, and uphold the mana of all people involved. Ethical practice is not just about avoiding risk - it’s about actively practising accountability, cultural safety, and relational integrity.

How this informs our approach

In our practice, kōhatu symbolises the ethical commitments and protective practices that hold and guide us when challenges arise. For Relate Services, this means:

• We are grounded in Māori and professional codes of ethics, including values such as aroha ki te tangata, kia māhaki, manaaki, and kia tūpato. These principles are not add-ons—they are foundational to every decision and relationship.

• We understand that ethical tensions often emerge at the intersection of personal, cultural and professional worlds. We create space in supervision and practice to openly reflect on these tensions, including issues of dual relationships, confidentiality, cultural obligations, and power.

• We honour the boundaries necessary to ensure safe, respectful and mana-enhancing relationships. This includes being transparent with whānau, maintaining clear roles, and being aware of how our presence and actions impact others.

• We embrace the idea that ethics are not static rules but living practices—shaped by context, culture, whakapapa, and reflection. We encourage kaimahi to be curious, humble, and relational in their ethical decision-making.

• We actively address structural and systemic ethical challenges, including institutional racism, mono-cultural bias, and colonising practices—recognising that ethical practice also includes challenging the systems we work within.

The kakau is the sturdy stalk that supports the kōrari - the flowering part of the plant. It grows strong from the roots, and its purpose is to hold up the next stage of life. Without a healthy kakau, the kōrari cannot bloom.

In this analogy, the kakau represents the practice methods, tools, and approaches that carry our values into action. It is the bridge between intent and outcome - how we do what we do.

In practice, the kakau is where te ao Māori, tikanga, trauma-informed care, reflective supervision, whānau-led practice, and therapeutic tools all take form. It includes the daily rhythms, processes, and relational practices that ensure our mahi is consistent, culturally safe, and grounded in oranga.

How this informs our approach

In our practice, kakau represents the methods, strategies and relationships that carry and deliver the heart of our work. For Relate Services, this means:

• We are committed to working in ways that are aligned with te ao Māori, trauma-responsive, strengths-based, and relational. Our methods are designed to uplift mana, create safety and support sustainable change.

• We engage in intentional, culturally grounded processes such as whakawhanaungatanga, karakia and hui-based decision-making. These are not ‘add-ons’, but core practices that embody who we are and how we work.

• We support tamariki and whānau through processes that are collaborative, transparent and work at the pace of tamariki and whānau. We take time, hold space, and walk with, not ahead of, the people we serve.

• We equip kaimahi with a wide range of practice tools, reflective processes, and supervision support that help them stay grounded in kaupapa while navigating complexity.

• We recognise methods must reflect our values. If a process does not reflect manaakitanga, kotahitanga, or wairuatanga, we pause and ask whether it is right for the mahi.

In Pā Harakeke, the kōrari is the tall flowering stalk that rises from the plant. It carries the legacy of the harakeke - producing nectar, seeds, and new life. The kōrari attracts birds such as tūī and kōmako, who feed from its sweetness and carry its essence to other places. In this way, the kōrari symbolises the outcomes, learnings, and legacies that emerge from our mahi - the growth that is shared, the taonga that is passed on, and the wisdom that is carried forward.

In practice, kōrari represents the transformational potential of working alongside tamariki and whānau with care, integrity and cultural grounding. It reminds us that healing, insight, and oranga are not only achievable—they create ripples of growth and transformation.

How this informs our approach

In our practice, kōrari represents the outcomes, learnings, and lived wisdom that emerges from our time with tamariki and whānau. For Relate Services, this means:

• We measure success not only in compliance or service outcomes, but in how we have strengthened and supported oranga, identity, connection, and hope.

• We honour the kupu taonga (gems of insight) offered by tamariki, whānau, and kaimahi throughout the process. These words, stories, and reflections are often the richest evidence of transformation.

• We value the reflective wisdom that emerges from practice, and we embed those learnings into supervision, team wānanga, and ongoing development - so the kōrari continues to feed others.

• We believe that when mahi is grounded in tika, pono and aroha, the outcomes are not just positive - they are life-giving, expansive, and enduring.