Tatou Tangata | OUR community
Ngā Tohunga o Ngā Hau e Wha
A collective throughout Aotearoa & Australia that provides 'Traditional Maori Healing & Rongoa'.
Kandace belongs to the roopu of over 200 that are based all over Aotearoa and Australia led by tohunga Billy Tuhua Curruthers. Billy runs regular wananga that Kandace attends to further her knowledge and practice.
Ngā Whare ō IO Matangaro ki Ōtautahi
The Ōtautahi (Christchurch) arm of the collective that provides services to the community and trains aspiring tohunga.
Ko te Ariki au ō
Te Whare ō te Wānanga a Io Matangaro
A smaller roopu of passionate Kairongoā and Kaimirimiri tauira that are apart of the wider collective. Kandace's role is to help grow and nurture their journey. We work together to help the community with aroha and manakitanga.
Te Wananga O Aotearoa
Certificate and Diploma in Tikanga Rongoā
Kandace immersed herself in rongoa at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, studying under recognised tohunga (expert practitioners) Melani Burchett, and obtained her certificate in tikanga Māori with specialisation in rongoa, and then a diploma in rongoa.
Through the connections made on this course and in the roopu she is surrounded by a community of like minded individuals with similar aspirations for Rongoā Māori.
Tohunga Ariki TapuTapu Noa
Piriwiritua Billy Carruthers Tuhua
Matua Billy founded the roopu and often quotes 'that he is responsible for this madness (the roopu)'. He shares his matauranga passed down for generations in his whānau with aroha and mana.
Papa's teachings are the foundational values of our organisation. Based upon his Rongoā Whaka Ora Model. For Tohunga to be Ma, Tika, Pono and Kaha o te Kupu.
Papa Billy has supported Kandace's aspirations and endorsed Kandace's ACC provider application.
Tohunga Ariki Taputapu | Ngāti Whatua Ki Orakei
Melani Burchett
Melani is a recognised tohunga and expert Rongoā practitioner with over 20 years experience. She is the Kaiako of Rongoā at Te Wananga O Aotearoa. She is also the Ōtautahi leader of the roopu. Melani was the first person to recognise Kandace’s promising attributes with Rongoā. Kandace believes that Melani has been instrumental in her growth. Melani aims to shape and refine the rongoā practitioners that train with her and fosters the tikanga of mā, tika, pono and kaha o te kupu in order to maintain the tapu of rongoā.
Ariki Tapunui | Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Hako
Corabelle Ria Summerton
Corabelle is one third of the Kahu Collective. She is also a leader of Ngā Whare o Io Matangaro Ōtautahi.
Corabelle is a dear friend and confidant often giving aroha and awhi to Kandace when needed. Her commitment to our moemoea to bring rongoā to Aotearoa and the world is unwavering.
Corabelle is a skilled kairongoa (rongoā), famed kairaranga (weaver) and renowned mahi toi (artist).
Corabelle is a kaimahi at Te Puawaitanga ki Ōtautahi Trust she oversees their Wahakura Wānanga events, and delivers wahakura, safe sleep spaces to Māori whānau expecting pēpi in Ōtautahi
Ariki | NGĀI TAHU, NGĀTI MANIAPOTO, NGĀTI HAKO
Lisa Harding
Lisa is another third of the Kahu Collective. She is also a leader in Ngā Whare o Io Matangaro Ōtautahi.
Lisa and Corabelle are sisters and their whole whānau including their Mum June is a part of the roopu. Lisa is also a skilled kairongoa (rongoā), famed kairaranga (weaver) and renowned mahi toi (artist). They are a talented whanau!
Lisa is also a close friend of Kandace. Both wahine aspire to be successful entrepreneurs and spend many hours together working on their pakihi.
Kandace credits both Lisa and Corabelle for being crucial supporters.
Lisa will often mahi rongoā alongside Kandace and our moemoea is for the pakihi to grow so we are both doing our mahi together for the bettement of our wāhine community in Ōtautahi.
Ariki taputapu | Tuhoe, Kahungungu
Tiana Te Moana
Tiana has a passion for creating mauri ora / a state of wellbeing as a Kairongoā for Te Puawaitanga ki Ōtautahi Trust. She is dedicated to upholding the integrity of Māori healing traditions, while adapting them to meet the needs of modern society.
Tiana is a trusted mentor and friend who makes her self available for korero and advice. As a leader in the roopu she is an amazing source of matauranga. Her interest in the Maramataka and knowledge of Matariki is outstanding.
She has a pakihi Rongoā ngā Mata that is a pioneering holistic cancer care provider dedicated to providing comprehensive and integrated healing solutions.
Ariki | Ngati Kahungungu
Tyrone Hakaraia Smith
Tyrone is a recognised tohunga an expert Rongoā practitioner and Whanau Ora navigator. He is well known in the community for his various kaupapa; such as E tū Papa and the Canterbury Mens Centre.
Tyrone is an important connection within the community and great support for Kandace and her kaupapa. He has made him self available for korero and advice. Tyrones organisation E tū Papa is a provider that Kandace refers
Tāne (male turoro) to and vice versa.
