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 in Tokoroa, when I was going through some hardships physically, mentally and spiritually. They took me through Turanga Māori one on one which was amazing. I took a lot of tools away with me that I still use today in everyday life as a father, son, brother and businessman.
I think of Turanga Māori as a wavelength. If things aren’t aligned I can’t be my true self. I know if I’m having a bad day or feeling stressed, I reflect back to the Turanga Māori framework. What’s not aligned and how can I fix it?
Turanga Māori has also become part of my business as a skin author (tatau artist) where I specialise in Cook Island tatau. What I’m doing is taking one story and creating it into symbols and applying it onto a person’s skin. Their papa’anga (genealogy) has a lot to do with it, identifying who they are and where they come from. I like to have a conversation with them before putting something permanent onto them. It’s about piri’anga or relationships, building one on one trust with your client.”
The Turanga Māori framework:
- Papa’anga – Genealogy
- Turanga – Position
- Piri’anga – Relationship
- Au Akaue’anga – Duties of Care
- Aroa – Love