Te Kauri Model
WHAKAPAPA- Understanding, empathy, to walk alongsideThe rings of the Kauri represent the age and growth and our experiences. The rings also represent our stories, our whakapapa.
We can only understand and empathise with people if we know their whakapapa, their stories.
Our life, our journey determines where we are as individuals and as a whanau.
There can be indentations in the bark, the indentations heal somewhat but this will not hinder the growth of the Kauri. If the tree is damaged it will still grow. The Kauri sometimes can go through difficult times but overcomes these difficulties and continues to grow.
The harder the Kauri fights to stay alive, the stronger the Kauri becomes.
It grows strong and straight and is not swayed by other things, or negative perceptions.
The Kauri takes time to grow but with patience they become a vital part of the environment. Everyone has a role in their community; with patience we will each find it.
The Kauri is a native tree, unique to our environment. It has deep roots, strong and firm, like our values and ethics.
The first layer is to learn of people’s history and understand how they arrived at the place they are now.
WHANAUNGATANGA-Inclusion-To bring people together
The nutrients the Kauri receives determines the tree’s growth. If the tree reaches its tenth year you know it has received the right nutrients. Other plants and elements were very important in the survival of the Kauri.
There may be whanau and mentors around to help people grow.
The Kauri is part of the forest with its own specific role, part of the give and receive cycle.
The Kauri has a relationship to the broader environment, just as everyone plays a part in the community.
Inclusion is about relationships, support systems, a sense of belonging, a sense of identity. Whanau is the foundation of this system - membership within a community.
The second layer is to learn who is important in people’s lives, who they relate to, who provides for them, who cares about and supports them.
In order to be successful in our interactions we need to listen to people’s stories, utilise their strengths, and reframe our focus in terms of the whanau as a whole.
MANAAKITANGA-Strength Based
As the Kauri feeds and beautifies the ngahere, the birds, and elevates their strengths, we strengthen whanau and community links, and celebrate the person.
Recognise people’s strengths and abilities.
Support enhancement of current abilities and skills.
Support development of new abilities, skills and opportunities.
We use an empowerment model and act with humility. We don’t come in as experts; we don’t impose.
To acknowledge and lift Mana of others, by feeding, nurturing and caring.
The third layer is to recognise that all people have strengths.
WHAKAAROARO-To ponder, consider carefully, give thought to reflect on
The fourth layer of knowledge is the reflection and evaluation gathered from the people we work with. This has led us to develop “Te Rakau Whakaaroaro,” “the reflective tree” as a means of capturing if in the opinion of the people we support we have made a difference. This evaluation process is woven into the Te Kauri model of practice. This enables the individual and the family / whanau to identify the goals they wish to focus on, and how well they are coping now in their current situation. As we proceed we can reflect together on progress. At the end of the process we can evaluate what has changed in the quality of life for all and whether goals have been achieved.
Through the organisational practice of Te Kauri we gain an understanding of who the person is and what is occurring for them. We are able to identify the needs of the individual and their family / whanau and strengths of the relationships and support systems. Only with this information can a holistic approach of support be implemented.
Research Paper
VALUES OF TAUTOKO SERVICES
The values of the organisation are inherent in the above principles and are practiced throughout the organisation in our interactions with our clients and with each other:
Openness and honesty
Respecting and building Mana
Sharing and comradeship
Person centred approaches
Supporting skill building
Valuing people