💜Renee Mac - Hinerau-Kahukura💜

Whakawātea – How this practice supports wellbeing

I have been practising Whakawātea for 9 years. It is an ancient traditional Rongoā Māori practice that was gifted to me by my Whaea’s Rita, Mate and Maudy at Te Wananga o Raukawa when I studied Rongoā in 2017. I carry this practice with deep respect, acknowledging the mātauranga and whakapapa from which it comes.

Whakawātea supports holistic wellbeing by creating space for release, restoration, and reconnection. Through this practice, I facilitate an opportunity for people to let go of the emotional, spiritual, and energetic burdens they may be carrying. It encourages a reset of the wairua (spirit), tinana (physical body), hinengaro (mind), and strengthens the connection to whakapapa, whenua, and self.

We all carrying stress, grief, trauma, anxiety, or the weight of life’s experiences. Whakawātea provides a culturally grounded process that supports to acknowledge these experiences, release what no longer serves us, and I always leave feeling lighter, more centred, and better able to continue on in our own healing journeys.

For me personally, Whakawātea has been an essential part of my own wellbeing and recovery over the past 9 years. It supports me to remain grounded in my practice, care for my own wairua, and ensure I am able to hold safe space for others with integrity and authenticity. It is a practice of continual self-care that reinforces balance across Te Whare Tapa Whā and strengthens my connection to Te Ao Māori.

Whakawātea is not simply a ritual. It is an intentional practice that supports emotional regulation, spiritual wellbeing, cultural identity, and holistic healing. It provides a pathway for reflection, release, and renewal, allowing both the practitioner and the tangata receiving support to move forward with greater clarity, balance, and mauri ora.

Ōhau Awa, a place that holds deep significance for me. I grew up on this awa swimming with my whānau. To have her to myself yesterday was a delight, alongside the beautiful Manu that greeted me. In that stillness, I felt completely present. The awa, the whenua, and the manu reminded me that I am home and living completely in this moment❤️