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Wairuatanga Wānanga 

 

Whakatipu i te Mahi ā Wairua

Developing wairuatanga within practice

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2-Day Overnight Wānanga​

This wānanga is for those who feel the call to deepen their practice of mahi ā wairua and strengthen the way they support the wellbeing of others. Participants will explore Māori understandings of healing and personal development through mātauranga Māori, experiential practice, and connection to the living world.
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This wānanga brings together mātauranga Māori, experiential mahi ā wairua practice, and introductory rongoā Māori bodywork within marae setting.

 

Across the two days, participants will explore how understandings such as Te Kore, Te Pō, Te Ao Mārama, wairuatanga, te taiao, mauri, hau, aroha, pūngao aho, whanake and hautūtanga can support wellbeing, growth, and the unfolding of a person’s potential.​

Piritahi  Marae, Waiheke Island

9am Fri 20 March to

5pm Sat 21 March, 2026​

What We Will Explore

Over two days, participants will engage in:

  • Exploring the tikanga of encounter and the deeper responsibilities within mahi ā wairua practice.

  • Understanding tapu, noa, mana, and karakia within healing spaces.

  • Reflection on insights from research with mahi ā wairua practitioners that support safe and culturally grounded engagement with clients.

  • Developing an integrated understanding of wellbeing encompassing wairua, hinengaro, tinana and whakapapa.

  • Guided mahi ā wairua practices connecting to te taiao and awakening intuitive sensing.

  • Learning a relational Te Ao Māori framework for wellbeing.

  • Practising the interpretation of tohu

  • An introduction to foundational rongoā Māori bodywork, including including practitioner presence and intention.

  • Kōrero exploring tikanga of touch and respectful healing practice.

  • Waiata as a healing taonga.

 

Learning is supported through guided kōrero, experiential practice, reflection and shared learning.

 

Drawing from her Master’s research with kairongoā and mahi ā wairua practitioners working within their communities, Maria Noone shares insights into how ancestral knowledge supports resilience, restoration, and collective wellbeing in a modern world.

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Morning & afternoon refreshments, lunch, & Saturday breakfast is provided. (Friday dinner is not).

This Wānanga Is For

People who:

  • Feel called to deepen their mahi ā wairua knowledge

  • Are engaged in community-facing roles or one-to-one practice

  • Are either emerging or experienced practitioners seeking greater clarity and grounding

  • Value tikanga and culturally informed approaches to wellbeing

  • Wish to strengthen their understanding of wairuatanga and rongoā Māori in applied settings.

 

Spaces are limited to support a focused and relational learning environment.

Payment options available

The Wānanga Experience:

Held within the tikanga of Piritahi Marae, the wānanga begins with pōwhiri and includes an overnight stay. The rhythm of the marae offers a grounded space for learning, strengthening connections, and supporting shared learning intention. Learning unfolds through teaching, whanaungatanga, shared space, live experience, kai and kōrero. Day two begins with Te Hā o te Ata, a morning karakia and meditation by the moana acknowledging Papatūānuku, Tangaroa and Ranginui.

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Wānanga Fee $399

Includes two days of wānanga learning and practice, materials, an overnight stay at Piritahi Marae, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, and breakfast. Payment options are below.

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  • Payment option 1: Wairuatanga wānanga $399
    Paid in full at time of registering, or four weekly payments of $99.75

  • Payment option 2: Student / Community Card $295.
    Paid in full at time of registering, or six weekly payments of $49.

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If you have a tight budget and would like to attend, email maria@whakapuawaiora.com with a suggested payment plan.

Learning boundaries:

This wānanga centres on development and applied learning for practitioners or those wishing to develop their wairuatanga knowledge. ​While learner insights will arise, the space is not designed for intensive therapeutic processing of trauma or intergenerational healing. Participants are encouraged to take responsibility for their own wellbeing and to seek appropriate support where needed.

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Coaching Workshop

 

Whakaako | Coaching

Support others through conversational coaching

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16-hour Workshop

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This community workshop introduces practical, heart-centered ways to support others through conversation—without fixing, rescuing, or telling them what to do.

 

Whether you are supporting whānau, friends, community members, or colleagues, this workshop offers practical tools to help others feel heard, valued and capable.

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You will learn easy to use coaching conversational skills that encourage self-awareness, confidence, and personal responsibility, helping others find their own solutions in a way that strengthens trust and relationship.

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What You’ll Learn

By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:

  • Hold calm and grounded conversations where others feel supported and understood

  • Ask thoughtful questions that encourage reflection and new insight

  • Listen in a way that strengthens connection and reduces defensiveness

  • Recognise when to step back, rather than stepping in to solve or direct

  • Support others to find their own next steps and decisions

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Key Focus Areas

  • Foundations of good listening: being present, open and non-judgemental

  • What support looks like when we don’t try to fix the problem

  • The difference between advising, directing, and empowering

  • Helpful communication styles and when to use them

  • Reflective listening and curiosity-based questioning techniques

  • Understanding emotional states and responding with compassion

  • Encouraging solutions and possibilities without taking over

  • A simple conversation model for real-life situations.

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Who This Is For

This workshop is suitable for anyone in the community who wants to:

  • Support others more effectively

  • Build confidence in having deeper conversations

  • Strengthen relationships at work, at home, in the community, or in group settings

  • Learn to stay grounded and supportive in challenging conversations.

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Hours of Learning

  Workshop 1 - 4pm to 7pm

  Workshop 2 - 4pm to 7pm

  Workshop 3 - 4pm to 7pm

  Workshop 4 - 4pm to 7pm

  Plus 4 hours of practice in own time (homework)

  Includes materials

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Offered Apr, Jul & Oct 2026​

  • April - Thu - 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th

  • July - Mon - 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th

  • October - Wed - 7th, 14th, 22th, 28th

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