Hapū Ora – Tūrama Practise

On this mother’s day

I wrote my poem below after I read an article about a māmā whale, grieving the death of her calf, in her own way. Tai te Kahurangi Wahine tangi haehae, he ngaru moana, e kore e mātaki As I read the words “she was a mother, who happened to be an orca” I know, IContinue reading “On this mother’s day”

Our home birth

Initially home birth was not my first choice; I wanted to give birth in a birthing centre. I did not want the mess at home, worry about cleaning my whare, having to cook my own kai. I wanted to be looked after, thought of, wanted my baby and I to be safe. These ideas wereContinue reading “Our home birth”

Raranga, raranga taku takapau: hapū ora for tamariki

Our research project’s name, Raranga, raranga taku takapau: hapū ora for tamariki, comes from an ancient karakia used during the birth of Tūhuruhuru the son of Hineteiwaiwa (the atua of childbirth and te whare pora – the house of weaving). It refers to the weaving of a ceremonial whariki (mat) for birth and serves toContinue reading “Raranga, raranga taku takapau: hapū ora for tamariki”