Arahunga promotes use of the values of democracy in day-to-day decision making

Decision making process

We live in a democratic country. It is therefore important to teach the up-and-coming generation the values of democracy. The values of democracy are not a form or style of government: they are concepts that can be used as tools to make decisions. The decision making process has three main components:
  1. Data input through any combination of the seven senses.
  2. What we choose to do with the data.
  3. How we actively think through the decision-making process, guided by our values and / or evaluating scenario's.

Cycles of Negativity

We can only make two choices - positive or negative. This is a very personal process. A positive choice for one person may be a negative choice for another. A negative choice is when the scenario is seen as a problem which is insurmountable, eventually becoming a cycle of negativity,
  • Cycle of Violence
  • Cycle of Pain
  • Cycle of Depression
  • Cycle of Negativity


A positive choice is when the individual sees scenarios or issues as being challenges which require thinking about. Thinking gives the opportunity for success. Success leads to fun. Positive people have fun. Negative people are always looking for fun.

Values of Democracy

The values of democracy, Nelson Mandela style or Sir Roger Wallace, Mother Teresa, Gandhi, to name a few are:
  • Freedom
  • Individual voice
  • Responsibility


Value -based decision making is not about focusing on one of the values of democracy but taking all three into account.

Levels of Maturity

We have developed links between the values of democracy and Steven Covey's three levels of maturity:
  • You - the individual blames others - lowest level of maturity
  • I - the individual takes responsibility
  • We - we work together - highest level of maturity


and come up with three words to use when making values based decisions:
  • Safety
  • Striving
  • Sharing
A safe student can strive for educational attainment and share their success.


We also linked the values of democracy to the Treaty of Waitangi and life.



Linking values to the levels of maturity creates a hierarchy that all individuals move through in times of high stress, anxiety and/or crisis. Staff are able to offer support and education at these times which is meaningful and significant.