Turanga Māori Transforms Skin Author’s Life
Opetaia Tarata Tavita Utanga (Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Mauke) is a Cook Islands skin author (tatau artist) living in Tokoroa. He talks about the benefits of applying Turanga Māori – the Cook Islands framework for transforming family harm and restoring wellbeing – in his life. “I met Tere Ford and Neville Takiri, two facilitators for Turanga Māori […]
Turanga Māori Reducing Family Harm On and Off Tokoroa Sports Fields
Turanga Māori is changing behaviours on the rugby league field in Tokoroa, according to Pacific Sharks Rugby League Chairman, Neville Takiri (Aitutaki, Ngāti Raukawa). The Cook Islands Māori coach is a Turanga Māori facilitator with his partner Tere Ford (Penrhyn) in Tokoroa. The couple were introduced to the Turanga Māori framework in Dunedin in 2018 […]
A Mother’s Ngākau Aro’a (Generous Heart)
As an only girl with eight brothers, Matapo (Mata) Rakanui says she was blessed that her brothers grew up to be loving men who treated their mum, their sister (herself) and their wives and children with love and respect. It’s something she is extremely proud of considering their upbringing. “We came from a violent family, […]
Being Grounded in Cook Islands Culture Doesn’t Mean Being Stagnant
Cook Islands born and raised John Kiria from the island of Aitutaki and Rakanga is no stranger to navigating pathways of wellbeing for families under his care. As a Whānau Ora Navigator at the Mount Wellington Integrated Health Centre, John’s job is to ensure the practice is advocating for families and helping them find the […]