New Resource Supports Whānau Through Grief
- Phoenix Manley-Green
- Jul 16
- 2 min read
A new book, He Aroha Te Aroha, has been unveiled at Te Ao Hou Marae in Whanganui, offering a compassionate guide for whānau navigating the grief of losing loved ones.
Written by Julie Herewini, the resource aims to ease the stress associated with the processes surrounding a tangihanga.
The inspiration for the book came from personal experience and a deep connection to Māori culture. "10 years ago I lost my dad, and 5 years ago this year I lost my mom. Both from very different experiences," explains Herewini.
She emphasizes that the wisdom needed to navigate these difficult times is already present in traditional knowledge. "The answers are already there within our waiata, the way that we talk about things, the way that we address things".
The project was supported by Whiria Ngā Hua, a funding strategy by Ngāti Rangi designed to help descendants bring their business ideas to life.
Frances Horomia of Whiria Ngā Hua believes the book is a testament to the success of this strategy. "This is a perfect example of seeing Whiria Ngā Hua in action, being able to come up with a resource that you can deliver to the iwi, to anyone really," says Horomia.
The resource addresses practical concerns that are often overlooked until they are suddenly faced. "Some of the topics that she’d spoke about what’s involved in her resource are things that we often don’t think about, but they happen when it does happen".
With this new guide, whānau now have a tool to help them prepare for and manage those moments with greater ease and aroha.
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