Awakening the Mauri through Ruahinetanga
Apumoana Marae, Rotorua | October 2025
Our three-day TOI WāHine wānanga, Awakening the Mauri through Ruahinetanga, was a deeply restorative and transformative gathering held at Apumoana Marae. Guided through ceremony, fasting, reflection, and movement, wāhine reconnected with their wairua and the natural flow of their mauri returning home lighter, clearer, and more attuned to their own rhythms.
Participant Reflections
Across all responses, wāhine shared feeling very supported and safe, particularly during the 24-hour fast and the cut and release ceremony. The combination of karakia, meditation, mau rākau, uku creation, and time in the taiao created powerful moments of awakening and peace. Many described the experience as tau, clear-minded, and re-energising.
“It was hard to sit as a tauira - I’m usually facilitating - but this wānanga reminded me to make space for my own growth.”
“Rest! The choice to do vs to be was an unexpected highlight.”
“Kua hinātore - this wānanga opened a smorgasbord of healing and reminded me to return to my rituals, rongoā Māori, and my own rhythm.”
The timing and flow were generally described as excellent and well-structured, with many appreciating the spaciousness to rest, reflect, and fast with intention. A few suggested even more time in the taiao or barefoot walks through the ngahere.
Key Shifts and Learnings
Reconnection with wairua and release of emotional heaviness
Integration of fasting and maramataka practices into daily life
Renewed commitment to rituals, rest, and hauora
Deepened understanding of Ruahinetanga as both ceremony and lived practice
Whanaungatanga and collective healing were strong themes wāhine felt heard, valued, and spiritually uplifted. Every respondent said they would definitely recommend this wānanga to other wāhine.
“The ceremony in the taiao was epic. The meditation and the small kōrero over tea were just as healing.”
This wānanga continues to affirm that when wāhine gather in sacred intent to fast, to reflect, to remember the mauri awakens gently, guiding us back to balance and light.