Ka ora te whenua,
ka ora te tangata.
When the land is well,
the people are well.
A Messenger of Hope
Tiwaiwaka is a set of 6 principles, written by renowned Rongoā Māori practitioner Pa Ropata / Rob McGowan.
These principles weave together a collective of people with unique gifts, Mātauranga (knowledge and wisdom), skills and experience throughout the network of Aotearoa.
Key Principles
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Principle 1
Te Whenua, Papatūānuku, is the source of all life. She is the Mother. Ka ora te Whenua, ka ora te tangata.
Caring for the whenua is the first priority. Everything else must be measured against this. -
Principle 2
We are not the centre of the Universe but we are part of it.
All living creatures are our brothers and sisters, and we are the potiki, the last born. Papatūānuku is our mother. We must care for them. -
Principle 3
The mauri is the web of connections that sustains life.
If any of those connections is weakened or broken the mauri is less able to sustain life. The integrity of the mauri and its web of connections has greater priority than the rights and needs of any individual or species. -
Principle 4
Te tangata, people, are not the masters of the mauri; we are part of the mauri and embraced by it.
Our role is to care for the mauri. In doing so we are cared for by it. We find peace. We are at home. -
Principle 5
No individual person is more important than any other.
Each must contribute what they have to offer, and receive what they need to be well. We are most well when we are sustained by the mauri, the web of connections that makes us who we are. -
Principle 6
We give special care to
the tiniest living creatures.
Even though they are too small to be seen they are the foundation that keeps and sustains all life. Caring for them is caring for the mauri. This is the source of wellness, of sustainability.
Purchase the Book
Gain more of an insight into the principles and the story behind Tīwaiwaka by purchasing a book. Purchase more than one to share with your friends & whānau, school or workplace.
Profits from book sales help to support Tīwaiwaka.
Ebook $7.00
Booklet $12.00 + shipping
“All we need to do is go into the forest and it will teach us everything we need to know.”
- Rob McGowan
Pā Ropata
About Pā / Rob McGowan
Tīwaiwaka was first written by Rob McGowan (known as Pā Ropata to many) a prominent Rongoā Māori practitioner, well respected for his work in the restoration of Rongoā practise and traditional knowledge of native plants and medicines in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Pā is a respected speaker, celebrated for delivering inspiring and humorous talks to audiences nationwide. Click below to learn more about inviting Pā to your event .
