The Spirit of Manaaki. Maata, a Living Library of Māori Wisdom & Medicine Practices by Stephanie Mines
This newly published book is both a tribute to Maata Wharehoka, respected kuia and leader based at Parihaka, and a compendium of Māori cultural knowledge and tikanga. At first, I found the format unsettling; it’s circular rather than linear in its presentation, akin to the way a child immersed in an oral tradition might learn their history and cultural values, deepening their understanding as time goes on.
The author is not from this country but felt called to Aotearoa specifically to live with Maata and her whanau to capture her wisdom during her final months. The whanau welcomed her fully, and she formed a deep understanding of Maata’s teachings. Themes range from leadership, resilience, birth, death, women and health and onward to looking towards a bright future of unity and inclusiveness.
