“Moe mai ra e te rangatira, noho koe ki waenga nui o matau matua tupuna”
Manu Korewha co-founder of Te Rongopae and assistant presenter for Kawa Ariki, Let’s Romi and Rongo Matua. Manu’s journey in the work began pre-birth with the recital of hundreds of takutaku / karakia and traditions verbally passed to him in-vitro. Upon birth, he was given 2 names from the Bible as it was believed he would not live. At a young age Manu spent a lot of time alongside his great great-great grandparents, being passed down as each generation passed on until he finally got back to his parents at the age of 10 years. Manu could trace his lineage back 89 generations without thinking, and he was dedicated to preserving and protecting original knowledge, language, and lore. He began traveling with the Maaori Healers in 2003. Manu passed away July 2017, yet his teachings leave an indelible mark and memory on us all. Manu’s presence continues to guide and inform the work today.
Atarangi Muru
Atarangi was raised in the small coastal village of Ahipara and is affiliated to Ngati Kuri, Te Aupouri and Te Rarawa tribes. Her name translates as ata (dawn) rangi (light) and in the old language means ‘the realisation of one’s visions’ (Naida Pou attributed the korero). Atarangi’s drive in the work is the growth and support of people using specific tools for self healing. Her passion for the healing arts was ignited by her elders where her training began at an early age, as it did for many in those times. Being taught at the knees of her many Kuia (Elder women) and Koroua (Elder men), is the traditional method. Today she passes these healing arts forward to her children, grandchildren, and her extended family both biological and spiritual.
Terence Muru
Terence spent 20 plus years traveling as a member of the Maori Healers. Of Ngati Kuri, Te Aupouri and Te Rarawa tribes on his mother’s side and Rarotongan and Tahitian on his father’s side. Terence's deep and precise work brings clarity to the what he does with people. In his early teens, Terence began traveling internationally with Atarangi (his mum), while already assisting locally at home. When working on someone ill, frail, pained or needing an ear to talk to, or words of counsel, Terence’s ability to be present, listen deeply and give feedback were strong indications of what this young man was like. During his teens, Terence had mentors like Papa Joe (Hohepa Delamere), Aunty Heni Phillips, Manu Korewha, Whaea Makuini Ruth Tai, to name a few, and these teachings continue to guide him today. As a result his natural tendencies towards compassion, patience and connection are finely tuned. During the Te Rongapae event Terence will also be filming and taking photos to support the ongoing training through videos and other media. His film work as a Maori Healer is essential to the sensitive nature of what we do, enabling him to film, photograph and edit in a way that honours all.
Kiwa Muru
Kiwa Muru, although young in years, has a strong healer lineage on both sides. His mother Mia, has generations of healers via her Samoan ancestry. His great-great grandmother who is now 95 years old, continues to 'midwife' mothers and their babies pre-birth, during birthing and after, and has a vast knowledge of plant medicines to compliment the work she does. Both sets of paternal grandparents used plant medicines and old ways of mystical healing on the body. Kiwa's great-great grandfather Henare Murupaenga was a local tribal midwife, used plants for all types of ailments, as well as being a bone mender, and Kaitiaki (guardian) over specific waterways, lands and tribal knowledge.
Bill Mundy
Bill Mundy is of mixed descent; Scottish, Irish, English, African American, and 5th generation Kiwi (New Zealander). He is afather to four sons and 6 grandchildren. Bill has been an active supporter of the ancestral healing arts working alongside Atarangi and her family. His education for these arts were via people like Papa Joe (Hohepa Delamere), Manu Korewha, Aunty Heni Phillips, Ted Muru (his father in law), Pineaha Murray, Makuini Ruth Tai and Hirini Reedy, to name a few. He says that “the ‘education’ he has received far surpasses anything previously”. Bill has traveled internationally with the Maori Healers. Becoming adept with the healing work, he willingly shares what he has learned, when traveling alongside Atarangi and others or in the healing clinic in Kaitaia, Northland, New Zealand.
