Te Mata Ōnaianei
Kawariki Thomson
Ko te marama, ko Korekore whiwhia
Kawariki Thomson | Waikato Tainui, Ngāti Maniapoto
The importance of shared kōrero, returning to our natural rhythm, kia ū ki ngā āhuatanga a ō tātou whānau are some of the key whakaaro, Kawariki Thomson (Waikato-Tainui, Ngāti Maniapoto) is sharing during this year’s Mental Health Awareness week.
The kaupapa, marked nationally throughout Aotearoa on 23-29 September 2024, focuses this year on building community.
Ngā Mata Wai Ora, the counselling and therapy hub of Te Puna Ora o Mataatua is joining in on this kōrero, by exploring “Te Mata Ōnaianei”.
In this mahi they’ve invited kaikōrero to offer whakaaro to whānau around the tohu surrounding us at this time, and how these can help us to gain insight into our waiora.
In doing so, our goal is to whakapakari te hapori mā te whakawhiti whakaaro hei tāpiri mātauranga ki ngā kete.
Ko te marama o te rā nei, ko Korekore Whiwhia.
Ānei ētahi kōrero nā Te Rina Ransfield:
“Ko Io Matua Kore te atua o tenei marama – a time when te taiao shuts down and we are unproductive on land and sea.”
“The effects this marama has on our taiao, can also be seen in people and korekore can often be linked to depression.
“It’s a good time to kōrero during korekore.”
In his interpretation of this kōrero, Kawariki’s whakaaro is to aro atu ki tō tātou taiao take notice of te taiao.
Kawariki also reminds whānau to utilise the power of kōrero more. He says it’s often through kōrero that we can feel validated, kia whai tautoko i roto i ngā uauatanga.
As a final whakaaro, Kawariki reminds whānau of the importance of quality time.
He says being in safe spaces, and being intentional in the mauri you share in those spaces, is key for him ki te whakahono ki a mātou whānau.
