TOI WāHine: Awakening the Mauri Through Ruahinetanga

The TOI WāHine Framework is inspired by the powerful kōrero of our mana wāhine speakers who shared their mātauranga at the Ruahine Menopause Empowerment Symposium. Their insights, drawn from deep connections to a Te Ao Māori way of being, have shaped the essence of this framework. Dr. Ngahuia Murphy, Awhitia Mihaere, Benita Tahuri and Dr Sally Rye presented invaluable guidance and wisdom during the symposium. Their contributions have become the foundation of this framework, ensuring it honours wāhine, revitalises indigenous practices, and empowers wāhine to embrace the changing cycles of WāHinetanga with purpose.
We would like to acknowledge Dr. Ngahuia Murphy's book, Intuitive Ritual, as an invaluable source of inspiration and guidance for the rituals incorporated into our wānanga. Her work has deeply informed our approach, weaving mātauranga Māori and intuitive practices into the framework to create meaningful, culturally grounded experiences for wāhine.
A saying that has stuck with me from the symposium is
’Swinging through the trees”
Could this mean that we must let go of one branch to grasp another.
This would reflect the courage and adaptability needed to navigate transitions, embracing change as an opportunity for growth
Mā te atua koutou e manaaki, e tiaki.

This Framework is lovingly dedicated to my nannies, Heraraumiria Te Hau and Hinerangi Te Paea Corbett, who instilled in me the values of tika, Pono and aroha. May this work honour their legacy and support wahine to embrace their journey with strength and dignity.

The purpose of the TOI WāHine Framework is to awaken and ignite the mauri in wahine supporting them to maintain their mana by using simple, practical TOI pathways. 

These pathways guide wāhine to nurture balance in their spiritual, physical, and emotional wellbeing. 

It is through understanding the principles of mana, tapu, and mauri as the foundation, we can ensure our framework is grounded in te ao Māori and Indigenous knowledge.

• Mauri is the energy within us that connects and animates our lives. By nurturing mauri, we create the conditions for growth and healing.

• Tapu reminds us to honour boundaries, self-care, and sacred practices that protect and strengthen mauri.

• Mana flows when mauri is nurtured and tapu is upheld, allowing wahine to live with purpose and vitality.

This framework is a journey of self-discovery and empowerment, helping wahine to restore balance, ignite their mauri, and step fully into their mana. It offers tools and practices that are simple to follow, ensuring clarity and ease for both participants and facilitators.