There is a man in the counselling room who does not have a drinking problem. He is not violent. He does not drink to excess. He has not passed his father's or grandfather's patterns down to his children. By every visible measure, the wound has stopped. And yet — every evening, almost without thinking, he reaches for the wine glass. He cannot fully explain it. He just does. This article is about that thread. Not the dysfunction — which may already be healed across generations

Tinana Autophagy — the final dimension, the complete integration. My body has died twice. Cancer twice. And both times, I thought my body was betraying me. Both times, I was wrong. My body was doing what my mind couldn't comprehend. Physical breakdown forcing the spiritual breakthrough that nothing else had managed to produce. The illness wasn’t punishment. It wasn’t a failure. It was the body doing, at enormous cost, what I hadn’t yet known how to do willingly. I spent years

What Hinengaro Autophagy is, and why it only works after the first three months Let me tell you something nobody said to me during the years I spent trying to fix my mental and emotional patterns. They were not broken. They were responding. Accurately. Intelligently. To genuinely difficult circumstances. And the reason all the tools and techniques and positive thinking and therapy weren’t landing the way they were supposed to was not that I was unfixable or resistant or too d

I want to tell you what forty-one years of systematic identity assault looks like from the inside. It looks like success. It looks like promotions, adaptability, professional development, and being told you’re a good cultural fit. It looks like learning which version of yourself to bring to which room. It looks like getting really good at making people comfortable — smoothing your edges, moderating your language, monitoring your Māoriness so it reads as flavour rather than th

Understanding Dimensional Autophagy Your body has a secret. When you fast — when you give your cells space from the constant work of digestion — something remarkable happens. Your body doesn’t just rest. It cleans house. This process is called autophagy, from the Greek meaning ‘self-eating.’ Your cells break down damaged proteins, clear out toxic waste, recycle what can be reused, and rebuild with what’s healthy. It’s not destruction. It’s a transformation at the cellular lev

How the Maramataka — the Māori lunar calendar — gives Te Poutama o te Ora its heartbeat Before clocks. Before timetables. Before the five-day work week carved up our lives into uniform chunks, there was the moon. For Māori, the moon was not simply a light in the sky. It was a teacher, a calendar, a health guide, and a spiritual companion. The system built around its cycles is called the Maramataka, and it has guided people in Aotearoa for centuries — telling them when to plan

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

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

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

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

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

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

Finding harmony in life is a goal many strive for but often find elusive. Balancing work, personal time, health, and relationships can feel overwhelming. However, with the right strategies, it is possible to create a fulfilling and balanced lifestyle. This article explores practical life harmony tips that can help you manage your time and energy more effectively, leading to greater satisfaction and well-being. Prioritise Your Time with Clear Boundaries One of the most effecti

Many people struggle to manage their time and energy effectively, leading to stress and burnout. Fortunately, there are proven strategies that can help you improve your life alignment and enjoy a more fulfilling daily routine. This article explores practical tips and actionable advice to guide you toward a more harmonious lifestyle. Understanding the Importance of Balance Improvement Tips Achieving a better life balance is not just about dividing your time equally between wor

Achieving harmony in various aspects of life is essential for overall happiness and well-being. When we talk about balance or life-alignment, it’s not just about dividing time equally between work and leisure but about creating a sustainable rhythm that nurtures the mind, body, and soul. This article delves into the life harmony benefits and practical ways to cultivate balance for a happier, more fulfilling life. Understanding Life Harmony Benefits Life harmony benefits exten

We have been focussing on what we can do to bring life re-alignment into our lives in ways that can manage and enable us to focus on what matters most to us. With this approach, it is possible to create a life method that nurtures your well-being and productivity. This article explores practical ways to help you achieve this goal. Understanding Life Methods Life methods are strategies and habits designed to help you manage your time and energy effectively. They focus on align

We talk more about how you can manage what is going on for you with the challenges and priorities that you face every day. With the right strategies, it is possible to create a lifestyle that promotes well-being and productivity. This article offers practical life tips to help you manage your time and energy effectively, leading to a more fulfilling and harmonious life. Effective Life Re-Alignment Tips to Improve Your Daily Routine Keeping different aspects of life at a manag