What is TOHATOHA?
TOHATOHA is a Kaupapa Māori approach to youth development, inspired by Rangatira from Te Ora Hou Ōtautahi, built on over 30 years of youth work practice by Māori youth development practitioners in urban communities across Aotearoa. It draws on the richness of Te Ao Māori to support urban rangatahi within their whānau and community contexts.
Expressed through the imagery of the Whetū, which pays homage to the Star Compass, an ancestral aide to navigation, Te Whetū guides us in supporting the journey of Rangatahi tū Rangatira. Each visual component uses Māori design to capture the depth and detail of development that English alone cannot convey.
Te Whetū consists of four arms: Waiwai (4 Key Elements), Te Haerenga (The Journey), Whānau (Bonds), and Ngā Uara (Values). Each arm connects to the base triangle, working in unison to form a harmonious system of teachings and ideals.
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Waiwai – 4 Key Elements
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Ohaoha is a life-giving, wise expression of generosity. TOHATOHA requires us to build relationships and connections through this expression.
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Tūhonohono is building and maintaining strong connections, standing together with People (Mana Tangata), Place (Mana Whenua), and God-given Potential/Purpose (Mana Atua). You can’t build a relationship without connection.
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Ako is creating adventurous, lifetime learners with the essential skills to navigate life. Ako utilises experiential learning through Pukenga (Mentoring relationships and opportunities), Wharewānanga (formalised learning relationships and opportunities), and Urungatanga (informal learning relationships and opportunities).
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Mana is the power of knowing who you are, the emergence of purpose and potential that comes from being connected, knowledge of who you are, and how you can contribute.
Rangatira who understand OHAOHA support rangatahi to build strong connections to people and place and create opportunities for AKO, learning about self, others, and the world around us, which leads to an understanding of MANA, expressed through contribution and the ability to demonstrate OHAOHA.
To support the journey of Tamariki tū Rangatira, we need to rongo to the worlds of young people and kōrero by asking the questions:
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Ko wai? Who will support the young person at this stage of the journey? As Māori, we ask, “Ko wai au? Ko wai koe? Ko wai tātou?” (Who am I? Who are you? Who are we?) to understand how we are connected, our place, and our role.
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Ahunga? Where have we/they come from? What direction are they/we facing? And where are we going? (Purpose and destination).
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Āheinga? What is possible now and in the future? What do I need to know (mātauranga/knowledge) to undertake the next stage of the journey?
Te Haerenga - The Journey
“Rangatahi tū Rangatira” is known in Positive Youth Development as the journey from me to we. For Māori, this journey is developmental and non-linear, weaving connections through life’s opportunities and barriers. Scattered throughout this journey are the ‘islands’ of life that must be navigated to stay on course, realise potential, and find their Rangatira space.
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The Tamariki stage acknowledges that every person has potential and purpose and has a right to grow and fulfil that potential and purpose.
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The Taitamariki/Taiohi stage marks the progression beyond the tamariki stage, where the individual begins exploring their potential and learning about their identity.
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The Rangatahi stage is the developmental phase where individuals gain a deeper understanding and become self-aware of their emerging potential in the context of people and place.
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The Rangatira stage represents the maturing of potential, where individuals invest in and weave into others, enabling them to discover their potential and purpose.
Whānau - Our Bonds
In TOHATOHA, Whānau are defined as:
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Whakapapa Whānau: The places and people with whom we have a blood relationship. Whakapapa Whānau are for life.
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Kaupapa Whānau: The places and people with whom we share a common purpose and aligned values, such as sports clubs, interest groups, and churches.
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Tīhokahoka Whānau: Places and people that provide refuge and temporary support, such as residences, hospitals, and boarding schools.
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Hapori Whānau: Our community and neighbourhoods.
Ngā Uara - Our Values
At the heart of TOHATOHA are the values that guide our Rangatira. These qualities are foundational to how we lead, learn, and support others on their journey. The four key values of TOHATOHA Rangatira are:
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Aroha – To act from a place of love and compassion, stepping into the shoes of others to understand their perspectives and experiences. Aroha reminds us that leadership begins with empathy and genuine care.
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Pūmanawa – To carry a strong heart, courage, and the values and character that underpin authentic leadership. Pūmanawa is the strength to remain steadfast in the face of challenges, leading with grace and resilience.
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Pono – To embody integrity, honesty, and the courage to speak and own the truth. Pono ensures that we remain true to ourselves, others, and the kaupapa, fostering trust and respect within our communities.
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Tika – To do what is right and walk the talk. Tika challenges us to live by our principles, ensuring that our actions align with our values and commitments.
In TOHATOHA, Rangatira lead with aroha at the forefront, weaving together these values to inspire and support others. By living and sharing these principles, Rangatira create spaces where rangatahi, whānau, and hapori can thrive, grow, and realise their potential.
Trampoline Model
The concept of whānau is illustrated through the Trampoline Model. In this model, the young person is represented as the mat, while their whānau (Whakapapa, Kaupapa, and Tīhokahoka) are the springs, and the hapori (community) forms the frame. Together, these elements provide a clear picture of the support, resilience factors, and connections in a young person's life.
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A spring must be connected to both the young person and the community to function effectively. However, even a rusty spring provides more support than no spring at all.It is important to recognise that who a young person identifies as a meaningful connection often differs from the perspective of adults, highlighting the need to listen and understand their view of their relationships.
TOHATOHA is more than a framework, it’s a kaupapa that empowers rangatahi to navigate their journey with purpose, resilience, and connection. By weaving together values, relationships, and developmental stages, TOHATOHA fosters a sense of belonging and identity, grounded in Te Ao Māori. It’s not just about guiding young people toward their potential; it’s about uplifting whānau and hapori as a whole, ensuring that every step forward strengthens the collective journey of Rangatahi tū Rangatira.