Pononga

"Living in Truth"

Pono speaks to the heart of truth — not just in word, but in being. It is the foundation upon which two guiding principles stand: tika, the alignment with what is right and just; and aroha, the outpouring of compassion, affection, sacrifice, and generosity. Together, these three values form a sacred triad that nurtures and protects mauri — the life force shared by all living things.

Mauri is the spark of being — the spiritual essence that animates the world around us. It binds us to one another, to our environment, and to the divine. When we act with pono, tika, and aroha, we strengthen this sacred energy — keeping life in balance and restoring wellbeing across all realms.

Pononga is the active expression of pono — to live truthfully, loyally, and with integrity in our relationships with others and with ourselves. It is more than honesty; it is a way of being where the inner and outer self are in harmony. Pononga is devotion to what is right — a commitment to living with authenticity, honour, and spiritual coherence.

To live with pono is to live with clarity. It is to acknowledge what is true, to align with what is just, and to express it all through aroha. It is a state of oneness — where our actions, thoughts, and values are woven together in a single, harmonious thread.

In this way, pononga becomes more than a value — it becomes a path. A way of walking through the world that upholds the dignity of all things, and nourishes the mauri that connects us all.