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.

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

We return to the Life Re=Alignment Series and to steps 2 Te Whakatūria tō Mana - Establishing your Authority and Te Whakawhanake i tō Kaha - Developing Your Strength. Turning our goals and plans into reality takes more than just good intentions. Many wellness seekers find themselves motivated at the start but struggle to maintain momentum. The key to lasting success lies in tracking progress consistently (Te Whakawhanake i tō Kaha) and aligning daily actions (Te Whakatūria t

From Plastic Windows to Wellness Framework: How Lived Experience Shapes Indigenous Health I am breaking from my usual weekly post to introduce you to where Te Poutama o te Ora originated. A kaupapa that must be shared. When you hear about health frameworks and wellness models, they often arrive wrapped in academic language—clean, theoretical, and somehow removed from the messy reality of actual lives. But what if I told you that one of the most comprehensive Māori wellness fr

We pause from goal setting and activities to let that settle with you and turn back to the topic of Epigenetics. From Understanding to Action: The Nine-Step Path Understanding that we carry epigenetic patterns is profound. But understanding alone doesn't create change. This is where Te Poutama o te Ora moves from insight to transformation—offering a practical pathway for working with what we've inherited. The framework's nine steps weren't designed with epigenetics in mind, y

Whakapapa - Relationships and Connection Goal: "Strengthen whānau bonds through regular meaningful contact, shared meals, and honouring family stories and traditions." Actions / The Plan: Small actions: I will make one connection each day with a family member or friend I haven’t talked to in a while. Big actions: I will share at least one meal every day with my family, with phones away to create space for real connection. Tinana - Health, Nutrition, Weight, Exercise, and

Personal development is a journey that many embark on to enhance their quality of life, improve relationships, and achieve greater satisfaction. The journey to achieving this vision starts with setting clear, achievable goals. I have termed these as 'Goal and Wellbeing Dimensions'. Let's examine some examples using the five Pou of Te Poutama o te Ora. Whakapapa - goals related to relationships and connection "Strengthen whānau bonds through regular meaningful contact, shared

Te Whare Tapa Whā (Durie, 1984) has been used with great success within health, human resource management and education. The four Pou’s continue to be relevant Taha Tinana (Physical Health) – as the Ground or Papa; Taha Wairua (Spiritual Health) - as the Compass; Taha Whānau (Family Health) - as Support and, Taha Hinengaro (Mental Health) - as Navigator. As previously mentioned, areas for extension that can be supported by Te Poutama o te Ora would be in: · Digital

Unlocking your full potential is a journey that requires dedication, insight, and the right support. Personal Growth Counselling offers a structured path to help you grow emotionally, mentally, and even spiritually. It is a powerful tool that can transform your life by helping you overcome obstacles, build resilience, and develop a deeper understanding of yourself. You would have seen me discussing this model in previous posts - Te Poutama o te Ora. This model encourages and