Values we embrace
Click on each Value to view a short video. You can also view a short video about the attributes.
![Whanaungatanga description](/content/uoc-main-site/language-master/en/about-uc/our-story/our-values/_jcr_content/root/container-content/columncontrol/container1/container_content/columncontrol/container/image.coreimg.jpeg/1697388349554/whanaungatanga-long-uc.jpeg)
![Tiakitanga description](/content/uoc-main-site/language-master/en/about-uc/our-story/our-values/_jcr_content/root/container-content/columncontrol/container1/container_content/columncontrol/container0/image_copy.coreimg.jpeg/1697388352444/tiakitanga-long-uc.jpeg)
![Manaakitanga description](/content/uoc-main-site/language-master/en/about-uc/our-story/our-values/_jcr_content/root/container-content/columncontrol/container1/container_content/columncontrol/container1/image_copy.coreimg.jpeg/1697388355732/manaakitanga-long-uc.jpeg)
Underpinning our values are the attributes of:
- Tika - doing what is right, being professional and maintaining high standards,
- Pono - being honest, truthful and acting with integrity,
- Aroha - being respectful, responsive and empathetic.
Kia tika, kia pono, kia aroha - doing what is right with integrity and empathy - This is how we check in on how well we are living the values.
At the centre of our attributes is utu - reciprocation and balance. Utu is linked to retaining mana and recognises the link between actions and reactions and that all actions require an appropriate response, whether positive or negative.
![Values with attributes](/content/uoc-main-site/language-master/en/about-uc/our-story/our-values/_jcr_content/root/container-content/columncontrol/container1/container_content_832828811/image.coreimg.jpeg/1697388631785/values-with-attributes-uc.jpeg)
Living these values aligns with our aspiration to create greater equity and collaboration, and to achieve the goals of our Strategic Vision 2020-2030.
Defining our values
UC’s values were defined by our staff and shaped by a team at Te Waka Pākākano | Office of the Assistant Vice-Chancellor Māori, Pacific and Equity, using a Māori values paradigm and a Māori world view.
Each value was attributed a whakataukī, or saying, to facilitate deeper understanding.
You can learn and practice the pronunciation of each whakataukī here.