Our kaupapa
He tina ki runga, he tāmore ki raro
In order to flourish above, one must be firmly rooted below
Mātāwai refers to the headwaters, the origins of the stream, the first waters of the awa.
We are drawn together as Mātāwai by a shared belief that honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi and community self-determination will create a better world for us all. We believe that communities have the experience and cultural capital to find their own solutions – and that connecting to kaupapa and values, sustaining relationships and working from collective strengths are the key to positive change.
We understand that work for change can be messy and complex. We’ll work alongside your group, keeping your kaupapa and purpose at the forefront of our approach. We’ll help you develop strategic and operational plans that uphold your values through your decision-making and activities. We’ll spend time understanding the change you want to see for the communities you serve. And if we're not the right people for you, we’ll link in with others to get what you need.
Mātāwai Associates are invested in systems change. We work strategically to move systems towards inclusion and equity by listening to and elevating community voices.
Our values
Manaakitanga – uphold the mana in those we serve
Treaty-based – centre Te Tiriti relationships in our mahi
Community centered – amplify the voices of community
Whānaungatanga – build connections, relationships and collaborations
