He Mihi ki te Whenua, ki te Tangata | Honouring the Land and its People

Acknowledging Our Rohe – Honouring Mana Whenua

At Whakapakari Ora, we stand with deep respect for the whenua on which we live, heal, and learn. Our mahi is based in Ōtautahi Christchurch, within the rohe of Ngāi Tahu – and we acknowledge the mana whenua, iwi and hapū of this region who have upheld the whakapapa of this land for generations.

Lisa Harding, one of our senior practitioners, is proudly Ngāi Tahu, grounding our practice within this whenua through her whakapapa and lived connection. Kandace Rewa Smiler, founder of Whakapakari Ora, brings whakapapa to the top of the South Island – Ngāti Koata, and stands as a manuhiri in this rohe, always guided by respect for mana whenua.

Our Commitment to the People and Plants of this Land

We are committed to the revitalisation of Rongoā Māori – not only as a healing practice, but as a living expression of whakapapa, wairua, and mātauranga. This includes ongoing rangahau (research) and the revival of knowledge, stories, and use of rākau native to this region.

We are passionate about uplifting local pūrākau, traditional knowledge systems, and the unique rongoā practices specific to Kā Pākihi Whakatekateka o Waitaha.

If you are someone who holds this mātauranga and are willing to share or teach, we would be honoured to connect and learn alongside you. We are always seeking to deepen our relationship with the whenua and its people — with humility and integrity.

Whakapakari Ora – Rooted in Relationship

Our name means to strengthen, to mature, to uplift wellbeing. This guides us not only in our work with rongoā and hauora, but in the way we relate to people, to land, and to whakapapa.

We walk gently on this whenua — with the understanding that our presence here is a privilege and a responsibility. We will continue to work in a way that is accountable to the whenua, to mana whenua, and to the kaupapa of Rongoā Māori.