1. Purpose

This policy sets out how Te Kāhu Tiu (TKT) engages with mana whenua iwi, Te Ātiawa ki Whakarongotai, and the Reikorangi Valley community. It supports respectful relationships with our neighbours and with iwi/Māori, while being clear about the boundaries and obligations within which TKT operates.

2. Our first obligations

TKT operates an accredited therapeutic, educational and vocational programme for rangatahi referred through Oranga Tamariki. Our first obligations are to the rangatahi in our care, to our staff, and to Oranga Tamariki as our partner agency. Our accreditation is subject to ongoing review by Te Kāhui Kāhu.

Being good neighbours matters to us, and we engage with the community in good faith. That engagement operates, however, within the bounds of our programme obligations, rangatahi privacy, and accreditation requirements. Policy oversight of TKT's operations sits with the board, our regulatory bodies, and our partner agencies - not with the resident community.

In line with these obligations, TKT will:

• Be open where we can be - sharing what we reasonably can, when we reasonably can

• Protect privacy - information about individual rangatahi and their whānau is never shared with the community

• Engage through appropriate channels - as set out in this policy

3. Engaging with the resident community

TKT's primary channel for community engagement is the Reikorangi Valley Residents Association. Residents are encouraged to raise questions or concerns there in the first instance.

Within that channel, TKT commits to the following:

• Newsletter - issued two to three times a year and posted on the Association Facebook page, covering programme milestones, property updates and upcoming working bees, always protecting rangatahi and whānau privacy.

• Residents Association attendance - TKT will periodically attend a Residents Association meeting when a resident has indicated there is an issue they would like to discuss. 

TKT does not operate standing community consultation structures around its programme or operations. Decisions about how TKT is run are made by the board, management, and our regulatory partners.

4. Engaging with iwi

Mana whenua iwi members from Te Ātiawa ki Whakarongotai have been supporters of the TKT kaupapa since its inception. That relationship reflects their role and interest in rangatahi wellbeing and in iwi/Māori matters within their takiwā.

TKT engages with Te Ātiawa ki Whakarongotai on matters relevant to the programme's cultural foundations and to rangatahi outcomes. In practice, this includes keeping iwi informed of significant programme developments, seeking guidance where the kaupapa intersects with tikanga, and ensuring the mauri of the programme is upheld within the Te Ātiawa ki Whakarongotai takiwā.

5. Communicating about incidents

If an incident occurs that is relevant to the community or to iwi, TKT follows its existing incident response policies, which may involve Police and/or Oranga Tamariki as appropriate. Where privacy and operational requirements allow, TKT will communicate relevant information through the Residents Association.

In the event a rangatahi absconds from the property and Police are notified, any decision to notify residents rests with the Police, not TKT. TKT will cooperate fully with Police in such circumstances.

6. Accountability and review

The Programme Director is responsible for this policy day to day. The Board will review this policy every 12 months. Questions about this policy from the community should be directed to the Residents’ Association in the first instance.