Strengthening whānau through wāhine wānanga

In September, wāhine Māori gathered at Takutai o Te Tītī marae in Ōraka, on the southern coastline of Te Waipounamu, for a Tu Mokomoko Healing mana wāhine wānanga. The gathering was designed to awhi wāhine to come together and support their hinengaro and wairua from the impacts of COVID-19.

Over two days, attendees reconnected through uplifting kōrero, body movement, taha wāhine and linking in with the power of the natural environment. The noho created a powerful space for wāhine to strengthen themselves and grow through a kaupapa Māori wānanga.

In our recent Finding strength together after having COVID-19 video, Murihiku COVID Community Connector Maringa Popham talks about her gratitude to get back to the basics and the ways our poua and taua would have taken care of things.

“Coming to this wānanga was about finding out a little bit about myself and being able to connect with like-minded wāhine,” says Moringa.

Facilitator, Bex Taplin, who is a traditional Māori healer, says that gatherings like this are so important for wāhine after the impacts of COVID-19.

“I feel like there’s so many wāhine who are wanting to level up,” says Bex.

“We know if they can do it, then the tāne and children will follow.”

You can find out more about Bex’s mahi on the Tu Mokomoko Facebook page.

Tu Mokomoko