Poipoia te kākano kia puāwai……
“ Nurture the seed and it will grow"
Sexual abuse is not only an attack on the individual but also an attack on whakapapa. It impacts on individuals, their whānau, hapu and iwi across future generations. Sexual abuse is not just the responsibility of individuals, but is also the responsibility of whānau. We continue to add and develop new kaupapa Māori counselling approaches, to ensure whānau have a choice and to improve accessibility.
“Any violation of te whare tangata (house of the people) such as abuse of the genital area and rape, has the potential to create distress amongst Māori women. This distress is not only physical or psychological in origin, but also spiritual and has multiple dimensions to it. Not only is this a violation of the women herself but also a violation of her tipuna and future generations. Spiritual distress is often a dimension that is neither recognised nor acknowledged but one that impedes recovery and healing.”
Denise Wilson
Rongoā Māori
Rongoā takes into account unique values, shared by Māori which are inherent to achieving good health. Hauora Māori is not defined by the absence of illness but embraces collective and cultural connectivity as a key hauora outcome. It addresses broader cultural, psychosocial and spiritual dimensions of health and illness. For whānau it has become a more welcoming gateway to engaging other health services. A space, which results in a more in-depth understanding of events leading to ill health and addressed through a range of culturally bounded responses.
These responses include Rongoā (native flora herbal preparations), Mirimiri (massage) and Karakia (prayer).
Client whānau can receive Rongoā at the same time they are engaged with talk therapy sessions with their counsellor.