Rather than moulding Māori concepts to fit a Western framework, decision-makers should embrace institutional reform that allows tāngata whaikaha Māori, as part of iwi, hapū and whānau, to enforce ideas of what Tikanga and Te Ao Māori in policy should be. Perceptions of inclusivity and responsiveness in policy are invalidated when there is seen to be a continued application of colonial frameworks and Western ways of thinking. In particular when evaluating programmes, which has a material impact on funding. There must be a complete exploration and welcoming of Māori influence and Tikanga within programme design, implementation and evaluation. This is necessary to displace Crown assumptions of superiority and give effect to Te Tiriti. Prioritise tino rangatiratanga, selfdetermination and autonomous decisionmaking by tāngata whaikaha Māori as part of whānau, hapū and iwi A Tiriti-based approach to preventing violence and abuse against tāngata whaikaha Māori requires the prioritisation of tino rangatiratanga, self-determination and autonomous decision making by tāngata whaikaha Māori, as part of whānau, hapū and iwi. Tangata whenua are selfdetermining people whose rights are affirmed by the guarantee of tino rangatiratanga in He Whakaputanga and Article 2 of Te Tiriti, and in international instruments such as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). Tino rangatiratanga as guaranteed by Article 2 affirms absolute Māori authority to determine their own affairs. It requires a greater devolution of power to tāngata whaikaha Māori, their whānau, hapū and iwi to address issues of violence and abuse. Government and duty bearers must commit to upholding the promises of tino rangatiratanga, so that tāngata whaikaha Māori can gain the necessary control and influence to determine decisions about issues that directly affect them. Upholding the guarantee of tino rangatiratanga under Te Tiriti is imperative for the Crown to have true partnership with Māori. This must involve a process driven by Tikanga Māori principles. 18 Human Rights Commission Article 3 of UNDRIP states that ‘Indigenous peoples have the right to self-determination. By virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development.’ Being Māori comes with the right to determine and make decisions as a people. As well as being a fundamental right under international instruments and Te Tiriti, selfdetermination and tino rangatiratanga is necessary to meet the needs of and improve outcomes for tāngata whaikaha Māori. Mainstream services have proved incapable of meeting these needs, as evidenced by ongoing disparities. Conversely, international research has found that Indigenous self-determination can improve educational, employment, and economic outcomes.95 Transferring power and resources to tāngata whaikaha Māori, their whānau, hapū, iwi and relevant providers is crucial so that they can develop authentic Kaupapa Māori social services that meet the needs of their people. To combat violence against tāngata whaikaha Māori, solutions should be grounded in self-determination/tino rangatiratanga. The starting point must be enforcing policies and practices that allow tāngata whaikaha Māori, their whānau, hapū and iwi to have direct involvement in programme design, implementation and evaluation. This will restore power to tāngata whaikaha Māori and their communities to determine how issues that affect them should be dealt with. Since tāngata whaikaha Māori are over-represented in negative violence, health and socio-economic statistics, their involvement in solutions, planning and service delivery must increase exponentially. Participation and inclusion of tāngata whaikaha Māori at all levels of decision making is necessary to advancing their rights and abilities to lead, innovate, and define their desired outcomes. As violence is a significant issue tāngata whaikaha Māori continue to face, they must have agency, control and a voice within the institutions that seek to remedy these inequities.