In this episode, we sit down for a second kōrero with Papa Mark Kopua to delve deeper into Mahi a Atua and the transformative mahi happening within wānanga. Papa Mark shares pūrākau of Atua Māori, the art of giving and receiving feedback, and the significance of mauri as an anchor and purpose in our lives and kaupapa.

Papa also reflects on his journey as an artist, speaking about the connection between art and home, the gifting of art, and practical ways to overcome creative blocks.

This episode is rich with wisdom, exploring the hunger within Māoridom to reconnect with identity, the challenges we all face, and the beauty of moving forward together with intention and purpose.

Please follow Mahi a Atua here and visit their webiste here to stay update with upcoming wānanga.

Episode Breakdown:
0:00 Intro
2:44 Say the Thing
5:04 Listen Carefully & Don’t Reshape It
8:20 Mauri Is the Anchor
11:39 Mauri Moko
17:54 An Artist’s Home
19:17 The Process of Creating Art
22:40 Getting Through Creative Blocks 24:00 Mahi a Atua Mokopapa 27:25 Māoridom Has Developed a Hunger to Be Māori 31:00 Everyone Goes Through Challenging Times 33:30 Let’s Do This Together 38:30 The Shift of Tangaroa 42:40 The Moana Reflecting How I Was Feeling 43:40 Carry the Intention 45:45 Final Words

In this episode, I sit down with Jana, a Mataora for Mahi a Atua, to explore her journey of reconnecting with Te Ao Māori and anchoring herself through cultural practice and healing.

We discuss the impacts of moving around, the challenges of disconnection, and how engaging with Mahi a Atua has shaped her path.

Jana shares insights on building confidence, navigating expectations placed on young wāhine, the importance of practicing integration, dealing with feedback that hurts, and staying grounded in one's journey.

For more information on Mahi a Atua and upcoming wānanga visit their website here.

Episode Breakdown

0:00 Intro

2:20 Impacts of Moving Around

5:50 Anchoring Self

8:30 Engaging with Mahi a Atua

11:30 Disconnected From Te Ao Māori

15:30 Tāne Were Midwives 

17:30 Expectation On Young Wahine

19:30 Building Confidence

23:10 Practicing Integration 

26:40 Feedback That Hurt

28:50 Final Words

In this episode, we sit down with Tama, the man behind the lens of Mahi a Atua, as he steps outside his comfort zone to share his personal journey.

Tama reflects on being raised in Hawke's Bay, the lessons he has learned from his children, and the life changing experience of connecting with Mahi a Atua, capturing moments during wānanga and his work addressing gambling harm within the community.

This kōrero highlights Tama’s growth, healing and dedication to creating positive change.

For more information about Mahi a Atua visit their website here.

Episode Breakdown:
0:00 Intro
4:45 Being a Pāpā
9:39 Connecting to Mahi a Atua
12:10 Life-Changing Experience
16:10 Giving Back
18:00 Breaking Through Limiting Beliefs
21:44 Gambling Harm
26:00 Final Words

In this episode, we sit down with Kelly Burns, a Mataora (change agent) for Mahi a Atua, to explore her journey of transformation and growth. Kelly opens up about her upbringing in Te Araroa as well as sharing the influence Mahi a Atua - teaching her the importance of giving and receiving feedback and the profound impact of supporting herself and others through life's highs and lows.

This episode was recorded during a Rangi Parauri Mahi a Atua Wānanga. We hope you enjoy the value!

0:00 Intro

4:10 Rushing To Grow Up

6:00 Carrying Baggage

8:30 Joining Mahi a Atua

12:30 Giving & Receiving Feedback

16:15 Supporting Yourself & Others

17:38 Reacting & Solutions

24:00 Expressing Authenticity

29:50 Being a Change Agent

34:40 Final Words

Solo session unpacking the lessons of the season as well as 2024.

Navigating uncertainty, friendships and preparing for what is ahead for 2025.

In this episode, I sit down with Rikki Solomon, a respected practitioner of the Maramataka. We discuss his upbringing with his koro, working with tūpāpaku, transitioning into Maramataka, and how it can be applied in our lives.

This kōrero, recorded during a Mahi a Atua Rangi Parauri Wānanga at Pākōwhai Marae, explores indigenising data, the pressures of Christmas, and embracing the Māori lunar calendar. Tune in for inspiring insights on time, culture, and connection.

Follow ⁠link⁠ to know more details about more upcoming Mahi a Atua Wānanga.

0:00 Intro 6:30 Growing Up with Koro 10:30 Learning Maramataka 14:15 Racism in Kura 15:30 Transitioning into Maramataka 18:30 Indigenising the Data 22:50 The, When 27:05 The Pressures of Christmas 32:00 Recovering Gregorian Addict  35:40 Younger Sibling of the Taiao 39:00 The Faces of Hine Marama 44:40 Celebrating 13 Times a Year 50:10 The Truth About Daylight Savings 57:00 Mahi a Atua Wānanga 1:00:00 Gregorian Calendar & Maramataka 1:07:15 Final Words

In this episode, we kōrero with Hinemoa Jones, a māreikura and facilitator for Mahi a Atua, as well as a writer, educator, and performer of karetao (The Māori puppet).

Together, we explore her connection to Mahi a Atua, the concept of Atuatanga, and the role of remembering in her journey. Hinemoa shares insights into spiritual growth, karanga, and the art of facilitation, including the importance of space holding and seeing transformation in others.

This episode was recorded during a Mahi a Atua Rangi Parauri wānanga held is Gisborne.

0:00 Intro

1:30 Connection to Mahi a Atua

5:00 Remembering

7:00 Atuatanga

9:30 What has helped you from your upbringing?

12:30 Acceptance & Spiritual Growth

15:30 Karanga

18:00 The Art of Facilitation

20:00 Space Holding

27:00 Seeing Changes in Others

31:00 Being a Change Maker

35:22 Final Words

In this episode, we kōrero with Carrie Savage, whose healing journey has profoundly transformed not only her own life but also the lives of her whānau. Carrie shares insights into how unlearning plays a vital role in growth, the importance of listening to our tamariki, and the power of doing what you need to do for personal and collective wellbeing.

We explore solutions rooted in te ao Māori, the transformative work of Mahi a Atua, and how healing is found in wānanga. Carrie also reflects on the long-term impact of mokopuna decisions and how they shape a thriving future for generations to come.

0:00 Intro

2:40 Everyone Is An Influencer

7:40 The Unlearning Process

14:06 Listening To Our Kids

18:02 Doing What You Need To Do 

22:12 The Solution Are In Our Ao Māori

26:00 Mahi a Atua

30:00 Healing Is In Wānanga

36:07 Mokopuna Decisions

42:12 Final Words

In this episode, we sit down with Tina Ngata, hailing from Ngāti Porou, an advocate for Indigenous, human, and environmental rights. Recorded during the Mahi a Atua Rangi Parauri Wānanga in Gisborne, Tina shares her passion for justice, the hard decisions she’s faced, and the central role of connection in her work.

We explore critical topics like the Doctrine of Discovery, colonialism, and the savage warrior myth, as well as the importance of controlling the narrative.

Tina offers practical insights on being an ally, navigating privilege, and breaking free from systemic traps.

0:00 Intro

3:35 Passion for Justice

5:30 Making Hard Decisions

8:00 Focus on Connection

10:20 The Doctrine of Discovery

13:30 Colonialism and Colonisation 

18:30 The Savage Warrior Myth

30:00 Controlling the Narrative 

34:30 The Trap

41:00 What Can Someone Do

44:30 Being an Ally 

47:25 Dripping in Privilege 

50:30 Final Words

It was an honour to sit down with the legendary Te Hāmua Nikora - a familiar face on screen, a captivating voice, a humour that brings laughter to all, a heart for our rangatahi, and a true representative of Māoridom. Enjoy this conversation as we explore the significance of names, working with rangatahi, life in media, personal stories of vulnerability, kōrero from Ngāti Porou, and insights from Mahi a Atua. This episode was filmed during the Mahi a Atua Rangi Parauri Wānanga in Gisborne. 0:00 Intro 7:10 Ranagatahi at Heart 13:01 Ngāti Porou 17:55 Working in Media 24:30 Rangatahi Focused 28:07 The Reka of the Kūmara Patch 34:30 Mahi a Atua 38:20 Observe Over Control 44:30 Final Words

Excited to reconnect with kōkā Diana Kopua for another powerful kōrero. In this episode, we dive deep into Māori healing, pūrākau Māori, the importance of embracing feedback, and reframing failure to failing. Doctor Diana also shares how the principles of Mahi a Atua come alive in real-time during wānanga.

This episode was recorded at the Rangi Parauri Wānanga at Pākōwhai Marae in Gisborne.

Leave a comment below to share what resonated most with you.

0:00 Intro

7:20 Welcoming Feedback

12:00 Failing Over Failure

18:05 The Real Scenarios

23:23 Common Themes

27:30 The Early Atua Battles

34:30 Wealth is the Collective Struggle

39:40 Our Relationship with the Environment

45:15 Directing the Ship

51:10 Working with Papa Mark Kōpua

01:01:30 Final Words