Mission - Maori Education Trust

• Pōwhiri - first and foremost in the manner of Marae whänau, the Māori Education Trust is totally committed to extending hospitality to all manuhiri, and to acknowledging the kaupapa that they bring to the Trust.

• Manaaki tangata - underpinning all TRUST activity is the traditional Māori concept of whakamana tangata – of embracing all persons with dignity and respect.

• Aroha - this is the base value underlying the purpose and operations of TRUST. Aroha provides the whanaungatanga within the Trust’s internal structure and ensures mutual respect and teamwork in all activities.

• Ngākau Mahaki - a calm and caring disposition is a quality promoted by the TRUST. While it is gratifying to be able to assist people in their need, it is a gift to actually care for them during this time, thus empowering them with feelings of support, of warmth, of success and of comfort and safety.

• Ngākau whakaiti - a difficult value to maintain – and harder still for some. Humility was a quality many of the greatest Māori leaders displayed even in situations of conflict. It is a powerful quality. It allows one to distinguish between the person (personality) and the kaupapa – rather like ngākau mahaki.

• He tapu to te tāne he tapu ano to te wahine - respect and regard from men for woman, from women for men, is part of the basis upon which all traditional Māori activities were based. To promote opportunities equally for all Māori and to inspire leadership from within young men and woman as well as kuia/kaumätua.

• Ko te mana ko te kupu - to walk ones talk is to act with integrity. Personal integrity to the word and the deed is perhaps among the more difficult values to maintain – and is probably a diagnostic feature for leadership. The Trust’s board members, staff and contractors aspire to achieve integrity in all matters as individuals and collectively as an educational service.

• He toka tū moana - a traditional Māori reference to ‘making a firm stand’ and if necessary ‘a final stand in battle’. This expression acknowledges authenticity. Alongside integrity, authenticity in the provision of educational services to Māori is absolutely essential. Not only must the Trust provide a service which is authentic and relevant to day’s needs, but the service must also be authentic in meeting the aspirations of Māori and in reflecting the validation of Māori knowledge.

• Tino rangatiratanga - the Trust is dedicated to creating opportunities by Māori for Māori – to support the pursuit of excellence and autonomy for Māori, of self determination to fashion a New Zealand where Māori can live well as Māori.s

• Whaiā te iti kahurangi - is a well known Māori proverb recognising perseverance, effort and professionalism.