He aha ā māua mahi?
What do we do?
Our services are underpinned and guided by the tongikura:
He Toi Tupu, He Toi Mahora and He Toi Taararau – the source of growth, the source of flourishment and the source of upliftment.
It is our mission to share knowledge around positive approaches to takiwātanga and the hope is that once this has been received, it can be translated into many different settings, and it is for whānau and professionals to expand this information so that it is resurfaced and put into action.
He Toi Tupu
The Source of growth
Through our education and training services, professionals have the ability to grow their knowledge and understanding of takiwātanga from a Te Ao Māori perspective. To ensure the delivery of this knowledge is fit for purpose, we work with you to develop tailored professional development seminars, plans and strategies.
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Through our education and training services, professionals are supported to grow their knowledge and understanding of takiwātanga (autism) from a Te Ao Māori perspective. Our approach is grounded in cultural values, whānau experiences, and neuro-affirming practice, ensuring that training is not only informative but also respectful and practical.
Specialist Training Topics may include (but are not limited to):
Understanding takiwātanga through a Te Ao Māori lens
Building inclusive classrooms and workplaces
Culturally responsive engagement with whānau
Understanding takiwātanga: characteristics and strengths
Practical strategies into supporting taonga whaitakiwātanga.
Understanding sensory and takiwātanga
Navigating the diagnosis journey: What to expect and how to prepare/how to support whānau
Using visuals in practice
Creating an Individual Education Plan (IEP) tailored for your taonga
Navigating Education Systems
Creating safety and wellbeing plans
Legal rights and advocacy
Building strong whānau-school partnerships
Self-care and hauora for whānau and professionals
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Employers and those in professional roles who directly engage, interact with or support tāngata whaitakiwātanga and their whānau;
Employers and professionals who or are involved in service planning and design;
Employers and professionals within government agencies and organisations in the health, disability and education sectors who are responsible for developing, designing and implementing policy and practice within these sectors.
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Get in contact with us and we can book a consultation to co-design a package that can accommodate your needs and aspirations and send through our program overview.
He Toi Mahora
The source of flourishment
Empowering whānau to realise their potential to thrive and flourish to become self-determined and empowered leaders. We provide a range of services and programs that are tailored to the needs of whānau. Kanorau have a dedicated Kaiārahi to assist with navigating the various services, providing education and training to whānau and professionals and providing advocacy support for whānau within the school environment. If you would like to know more about this service, please download the poster below.
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From one whānau to another, we provide support from lived experience whether that be attending appointments with you, emotional support or assisting in growing your knowledge around understanding your taonga more.
The Kaiārahi can provide a single point of contact for whānau and assist with exploring options to help support you achieve your goals and navigating the various support services and understanding what is available in your region.
Advocacy in a number of settings to ensure whānau are accessing the right supports.
Providing education and training to support whānau in ensuring their taonga are understood in various settings.
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Whānau living with takiwātanga
Tāngata whaitakiwātanga
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You can get access to this service easily. Whether it be by self-referral, whānau referral or referral from your health or educational practitioners, you can access the support you need when you need it. In the first instance please send an email and we can set a time to meet and discuss further.
He Toi Taararau
The source of upliftment
Through our resources and information hub, we intend to uplift whānau and professionals through resources that incorporate cultural diversity as well as connecting whānau and professionals to resources where they have a future of increased resilience and capability.
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Resources that inform whānau and professionals on takiwātanga and the characteristics that are associated with it.
Resources and information that assist whānau in the education sector during transition and Individual Education Planning.
Reliable and relevant knowledge through our information based on takiwātanga from a Māori worldview, pre-diagnosis and post-diagnosis advice.
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Whānau living with takiwātanga
Tāngata whaitakiwātanga
Health and education professionals
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Get in contact with us on our page to request tailored resources and information to suit your needs.
Kaiārahi support
At Kanorau, we have a dedicated Kaiārahi who works one on one with whānau, guiding them through the often complex and emotional journey of navigating takiwātanga. This holistic support is designed not only to empower whānau with the knowledge and tools they need but also to offer emotional reassurance, knowing they are not alone in the journey.
Questions before getting started?
Get in touch.
Our takiwātanga (autism) support services
Our resources and educational foundations are geared towards changing the narrative around ‘autism’ or ‘autism spectrum disorder’. We start this by using a powerful, positively charged term instead - ‘takiwātanga’. Takiwātanga characteristics are broad and affect every individual uniquely, and we come from a place of treating everyone with respect, dignity and space for their individual needs and aspirations. All of our listed services can be tailored to suit your needs; simply speak to us about how we can help you best.
What is takiwātanga?
Takiwātanga was developed by Rangatira and te reo expert Keri Opai, who also created Te Reo Hāpai. Te Reo Hāpai is a Māori language glossary for use in the mental health, addiction and disability sectors. Te Reo Hāpai was created to provide a positive Maori worldview to terms that often carry a negative connotation. Being informed by Te Ao Māori can provide whānau with a positive perspective of takiwātanga. When you view takiwātanga from a māori perspective, we understand that our taonga see the world differently and operate on a different rhythm and frequency. Rather than being seen as a disability, we empower through language to see these unique characteristics as special abilities instead.
