Ka mua, ka muri—Walking backwards into the future

INTRODUCTION: Spurred by critical reviews of Oranga Tamariki–Ministry for Children, Aotearoa New Zealand’s statutory child protection agency, and growing calls services delivered “by Māori, with Māori”, the Zealand government is taking significant steps toward devolving responsibility supporting wellbeing tamariki, rangatahi, whanau Māori from Crown to Iwi social service providers. Frequently overlooked in discussions Crown–Māori partnerships are community-based Māta Waka (pan-tribal) organisations, which provide a range much-needed rangatahi whānau who not mana whenua. The purpose this Kaupapa research was examine expectations that kaimahi working provider have other organisations that: 1) partner Māori; and, 2) Waka. APPROACH: Drawing on findings wānanga kaimahi, article illuminates principles values guide their practice, using these as foundation exploring complexities, challenges, opportunities inherent building effective behalf across differences mandate, power, world views, guiding frameworks or tikanga Māori. IMPLICATIONS: study implications current partnership efforts extension,