Series Introduction   Humble Beginnings: Matapihi Kirihou – The founding backstory of Te Poutama o te Ora The plastic windows were never just plastic. They covered what glass couldn’t be afforded. They let in light, but not clearly. And they were the beginning of a backstory that travels forward — into bodies, into relationships, into the homes our children grow up in, and sometimes into the arms of experiences, others and systems that step in when those homes become unsafe.

The Question Children Carry What the Whakapapa passes on – the Children of the Wound The continuing story of Mere Children of the Wound This is the fourth piece in The Whakapapa of a Wound. We have followed Mere from the washing basket, through the biology of her childhood, into the relationships that replicated what she first learned about love. Now we turn toward the children. Toward the question that is the most tender of all: Why am I not with my Mum and Dad? There Is No

Trauma Bonding, Debt-Based Love, and the Wound That Goes Looking The continuing story of Mere She is in her forties now. She left the first one after seven years. She told herself she had finally chosen better. New city, new beginning, new person. She believed it completely. The second one looked nothing like the first. Different face, different voice, different reasons she fell. It took four years before she realised she was standing in the same room with different wallpaper

Last week, I introduced the Weeds of Anxiety and how those were planted at the age of two when a sibling arrived, and all of the love and attention went to this new person. Leaving the question for this two-year-old of "why do they need them?"...." aren't I enough?". We pick up this story again, this time in relation to Mere - a Māori Wahine struggling with these weeds that have played out in her life. This narrative now forms a wider body of work called 'Whakapapa of the Wou

I presented last week the image of a young girl who, at two years old, could not understand why she became invisible when her sibling arrived. 'Wasn't she enough?'. I left that article with questions around how that weed could be pulled out, and stopped from reseeding or transferred to other aspects of her life and more importantly, to her children. I present the closing conversation. What Pulls the Weed Out? This is the question that led me to develop Te Poutama o te Ora (TP

Consider this: The thoughts of not being good enough stem from that time when you first felt anxiety about being inadequate, or you faced a situation in life that you said you couldn't handle, and you reasoned this to be - "It's because I'm not Good Enough". If I then proposed that: Anxiety is a weed , with the root of that weed stemming from a dysfunctional belief or thought . Further, if it is a thought, then it likely can’t be medicated. Instead, you must train your br

Consider this. Think of the last thing you really wanted. Maybe it was something you saw online; something a friend mentioned; it’s been sitting in the back of your mind for months — a holiday, a purchase, a version of your life that looks a little different from the one you're living. Now here's the deeper question: where did that wanting come from? In te Ao Māori, we have a concept called whakapapa. Most people know it as genealogy — the tracing of family lines, the recitat

A Te Poutama o te Ora reflection on desire, clarity, and the wisdom of knowing yourself There is a moment that many of us know well. You are standing in a shop — or scrolling through a website at midnight — and something catches your eye, and almost immediately, a thought forms: I need this. But do you? Really? The difference between wanting something and needing something might sound like a straightforward question. But in my work as a wellness practitioner and in developing

A three-phase Te Poutama o te Ora reset for when life piles up, and momentum goes missing. Consider this scenario Do you know that feeling — when life has quietly piled so much onto your shoulders that you can no longer remember what your plans were, what you were working toward, or even where to begin? The to-do list has grown into a to-do novel. The inbox feels like a living thing with demands of its own. The body is tired in that deep, specific way that sleep alone does no

In the quest for wellness and deeper understanding, many seek to explore concepts that blend tradition, technology, and healing. One such intriguing term is iantemo . This word carries layers of significance that resonate with those interested in indigenous knowledge, holistic health, and the integration of modern technology for personal growth. This article delves into the meaning behind iantemo, its cultural roots, and how it can inspire new approaches to wellness. Understa

Life coaching has become an essential tool for many seeking personal growth, wellness, and clarity in their lives. With the rise of technology and wellness healing, more people are turning to life coaches to help them navigate challenges and achieve their goals. However, one common question that arises is about the costs involved. This guide will explore the factors influencing life coaching costs in New Zealand, helping you understand what to expect and how to make informed

The maramataka is a traditional Māori lunar calendar that has guided indigenous communities in Aotearoa New Zealand for centuries. It is a system that connects people with the natural rhythms of the moon, the environment, and seasonal changes. For those interested in wellness, indigenous knowledge, and using technology to enhance healing, understanding the maramataka offers a unique way to align daily activities with nature’s cycles. This beginner maramataka guide will introd

We now look at the final steps in the Life Re-Alignment Series: Steps 4-9. Awareness was introduced in Steps 1-3 to show how colonisation impacted and fragmented your behaviours and livelihood. From digital and societal algorithms that learned your preferences, they served you ‘just what you were looking for’, ‘at the right time’, and ‘with a bargain, once-only opportunity’ to engage, like, subscribe, and purchase what was being offered. You established boundaries, built prac

Picture this scenario: - You pick up your phone 'just to check' and three hours vanish into scroll after endless scroll. You meant to pay attention during dinner, but your mind was everywhere except at the table. You promised yourself you'd move your body today—but here you are, exhausted before you even started. These aren't personal failings. They're patterns of colonisation. Systems designed to extract your attention, time, energy, money, and life force—and make you blame

In New Zealand, the concept of hauora represents a holistic approach to health and wellbeing, encompassing physical, mental, social, and spiritual dimensions. With the rise of digital technology, accessing hauora services online has become increasingly important, especially for those seeking convenient, culturally aligned, and effective wellness support. This guide explores how to navigate online hauora services in NZ, offering practical advice and insights to help you make

In te Ao Māori, the Puku – the gut, the stomach - isn’t just where you digest food. It’s where your Tuakiri lives. Your identity and sense of self. When someone says they have a ‘gut feeling’ or feel something ‘in their stomach,’ they’re acknowledging this ancient wisdom. Your Puku knows things your mind hasn’t figured out yet. It processes your world in ways logic cannot. It carries your trauma, joy, and knowing. But here’s what colonisation did: it severed that connection.

Last week we looked at how our Digital Wellness is impacted in todays modern fast-paced world and how Te Poutama o te Ora can bring light to what that looks like and a path forward to help transform where we currently are stuck to a healthier you. We continue with this deep dive with this weeks topic Taha Pūtea - Money as Mana. Scenario: You are sitting at your kitchen table at 2 AM, calculator in hand, trying to figure out which bill you can pay late this month without catas

This post is the first of three that look at how Te Poutama o te Ora can be applied in a practical manner to everyday challenges we all face. The first is Digital Wellness. Understanding Digital Wellness: A Path to Sovereignty Picture this scenario: Have you ever arrived home from work and realised you can’t remember the last five minutes of your drive? Not because you were tired, but because your mind was somewhere else entirely, scrolling through imaginary social media feed

Learning the Māori language is a rewarding journey that connects you with New Zealand’s rich cultural heritage. Whether you are a beginner or looking to improve your skills, having access to the right tools and materials is essential. This guide will introduce you to some of the best resources available to help you on your path to fluency. Why Learning Māori Language Matters Understanding the Māori language is more than just learning words and grammar. It is about embracing a

Learning the Māori language is a rewarding journey that connects you with New Zealand’s rich cultural heritage. Whether you are a beginner or looking to improve your skills, having access to the right tools and materials is essential. This guide will introduce you to some of the best resources available to help you on your path to fluency. Why Learning Māori Language is Important The Māori language, or te reo Māori, is a taonga (treasure) of New Zealand. It is an official lan