The Komiti Whakahaere operates under a Te Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty of Waitangi governance model which incorporates the following tikanga:
- There are two caucuses, Tangata Whenua and Tangata Tiriti which operate as a cooperative and shared relationship determined on an equal 50:50 basis.
- There is a shared leadership between the Tangata Whenua and Tangata Tiriti caucuses. This is done via Co-chairs
- There is respect and agreement on timeframes and priorities for expenditure of funds and resources which are decided jointly
- Caucusing is encouraged where there are points of cultural difference
- Decisions are made collectively rather than a voting system. This encourages the articulation of diverse views rather than a single or dominant viewpoint
- Every meeting/gathering begins and ends with a karakia.
- The preferred method of working at national, regional and local levels is kanohi ki te kanohi (i.e. face to face).
- Interaction with external organisations, including government and local government, require participation of members from both caucuses.
- Public appearances and media interaction is shared and reflects both world views.
- Strategies, tikanga, policies, procedures, kawa and practices reflect a two world view and woven into the organisation as reflected in this whariki (see insert)