Whakatauki.

Practice values.

Tika. 

We do things in the right way. We do things ‘with’ people rather than ‘to’ or ‘for’ them. Restorative justice engages the people who have the problem in solving the problem. By ensuring the people directly affected by the offence aren’t treated as outsiders, restorative justice can achieve outcomes that other processes can’t.

 Pono. 

We’re truthful, honest and sincere in our interactions with people. We are honest and have integrity in all that we do. Truthful speech is essential if justice is to be done. In restorative justice, truth entails more than clarifying the facts and establishing guilt within strict legal parameters; it requires people to speak openly and honestly about their experience of the offending, their feelings, and their moral responsibilities.

 Whanaungatanga. 

We develop relationships and work together. We recognise that the restoration of social balance rests with the community, rather than individuals. Relationships between people are at the heart of restorative justice. While stressing individual freedom and accountability, restorative justice recognises the communal bonds that unite victim, offender and community.   

Āhurutanga. 

We provide a place of warmth and safety. While restorative conversations can be difficult, we create safe spaces where people can express themselves without fear of being made to feel uncomfortable or unsafe on the basis of their race, culture, sexual orientation, gender, age, beliefs, status in society, or mental or physical ability. All people in a restorative justice conference have something valuable to contribute to the goals of the conference. 

Manaakitanga. 

We show respect, generosity and care for others. We treat people respectfully, irrespective of who they are and where they come from. We build relationships between victims, offenders and communities through manaakitanga. The restorative justice process should uphold the mana and dignity of everyone present.

 Mana motuhake. 

We enable people to achieve self-determination. All people require a degree of self-determination and autonomy in their lives. Restorative justice seeks to re-empower victims by giving them an active role in determining what their needs are and how these should be met. It also empowers offenders to take personal responsibility for their offending, to do what they can to remedy the harm they have inflicted and to begin a rehabilitative and re-integrative process. 

 Aroha. 

We feel compassion, caring and empathy for others. No matter how severe the wrongdoing, we respond in ways that lend strength to those who are suffering and that promote healing and change.”