The authors support the inclusion of Māori beliefs and values through whakatauakī (proverbs) to inform service planning and development in mental health services for Māori. The whakatauakī: Whakaora ngā moemoea o ngā tūpuna – Living the dreams of the ancestors was chosen by a Kaupapa Māori CAMHS team as the foundation for their strategic discussions. Staff members were encouraged by a facilitator skilled in tikanga Māori (customs, beliefs and values) to articulate their thoughts not only as recipients of knowledge from an “ancestor” but also as an “ancestor” of future generations. This process valued learning from the past, the present combined to provide a vision for the future.