Christchurch Somatic Training - Nga Tohunga Reo a Aio

Meet our Kaiako

Cruize Erueti

Ngāi Tahu | Kāti Mamoe | Waitaha | Ngāti Toa | Ngāti Kahungungu | Tainui | Ngā Puhi

KAIAKO, KAIMIRIMIRI, LEAD PRACTITIONER

As our Lead practitioner, Cruize is known well for his extensive contribution to Urban Dance forums as a Mentor and Teacher in communities since 2008, where his goal over that time was to provide positive outlets for youth with a focus on mental health and well-being. He is a well regarded Rōngoa Māori practitioner of Mirimiri, Romiromi and Kōrero Whakawhitiwhiti. His first introduction to traditional practices was in 2012, and was blessed to have experienced many teachings in that time as a resident of Tapu te Ranga Marae, from Manuhiri and their whanau until returning to Otautahi in 2016. He continued his journey expanding upon these teachings within his work at the Dark Sky Project with Te Atai Aoraki, before fully immersing himself in Mirimiri and Romiromi mahi at the end of his tenure, integrating these experiences to provide traditional health services to communities throughout Aotearoa. He uses his experience to advise, maintain and safe guard both practitioners and clients while utilising the expertise of his peers to continue elevating the care we provide as a team.

To be announced

Gina Malcolm

Te Āti Haunui A Pāpārangi | Ngāti Hauiti | Te Arawa | Tainui

KAIMIRIMIRI, KAIRONGOĀ, KAIAKO

To Gina Malcolm, Rongoā Māori is her living connection to source - a sacred link to all that exists within Te Taiao, Te Ao Mārama, and Te Ao Pō. She believes these realms are not separate but encoded within our very DNA. As a Māori Indigenous Rongoā Practitioner, Gina channels this deep knowing through her whakapapa - instinctively and intuitively accessing ancestral knowledge to support the healing of not only her own lineage, but the whakapapa of others. The way we engage with rongoā and connect to te taiao is, in her view, a vital expression of reclaiming our birthright as Māori. Gina's practice is grounded in the guiding kaupapa of te raranga i te whakapapa whakaora - to weave the whakapapa of wellbeing and wellness within whānau. Through her work, Gina supports individuals and whānau to reconnect with their own intuitive pathways for healing - to become the best versions of themselves, care for their communities, and uphold the mana and wellbeing of their whakapapa..

Julia Fenn

Tangata Tiriti | Aotearoa | East Anglia | Scotland | Cornwall

KAIMIRMIRI, KAIAKO, LEAD PRACTITIONER

In 2018, Julia experienced a Karakia that strengthened her bond with Te Ao Māori, in a way that hadn't existed previously. She had felt the healing depths of Rongoā Māori and within a few weeks she had attended a wananga with Chelita Kahutianui-o-te-Rangi Zainey, who became her Mentor and Kaiako in Rongoā Māori, supervising Julia while she completed her two year Mirimiri apprenticeship in 2020, guided by a lifelong curiosity about the interconnectedness of te taiao and collective healing. Julia is passionate about supporting people to feel seen, heard, and empowered in their healing journeys. Her focus is on making wellness services accessible and attentive to the individual, particularly for those navigating trauma. She is consistently Training to upskill trauma-informed methods and works alongside our team to grow pathways for collective care and safe spaces for accessible healing. Her research in 2014 was an early contributor to what is now known as Trauma Informed and Somatic design. Julia has always been committed to creating spaces-both physical, emotional and relational-that support the wellbeing of communities and towards reclamation and recovery. She has 7 years experience as a Kaimirimiri and Somatic Practitioner.

Gabriel Atawhai Calcott

Waitaha | Scottish | Irish | Cornish | Netherlander | North American | Scandinavian

KAIPŪORO

Gabriel Atawhai Calcott is a DJ, producer, radio host, sound engineer,and Waitaha Taonga Pūoro artist who has been shaping and exploringsound in its many forms for nearly 30 years. He is a founding memberof Waikirikiri Kōpuni Taonga Pūoro collective Kiki Pounamu, with whomhe produced three albums between 2000 and 2003.Gabriel is also a passionate advocate for the protection of ourrivers, lakes, and oceans, and is deeply committed to the principle ofkaitiakitanga—guardianship and stewardship—of our waterways.

Michelle Tuarāhono Croft

Tangata Tīriti | New Zealander | Waitaha a Tupai | Irish | Scottish | Welsh | English

Kaimirimiri

BSLT | BA | ATCL Michelle delved into Rongoa Maori 7 years ago alongside a 25 year career as a Speech and Language Therapist, specialising in neurogenic communication disorders, voice and disorders of swallowing.Her love for kaupapa māori and Waitaha ignited her to integrate Rongoā and Mirimiri alongside her expertise as a Pūoro Artist. Michelle gained experience across the motu, facilitating sessions for clients and supporting wānanga and Rongoā Māori clinics from 2019 onwards, qualifying under Kairongoā and Kaimirimiri Chelita Kahutianui Zainey. Michelle works with us as a Kaimirimiri and Kaipūoro, supporting tūroro on their hauora. .

Rua Pick

Waitahā a Tupai | Te Ruapekapeka | Shivei Rueben | Sard | Rasenna | Cornovii | Prydyn | Coritani Fenn | Iceni | Coriosolite Breton | Frisian | Angle Fenn | Dane | Norse Orkney | Clan Gunn | Clan Chattan | Clan Farquharson | Clan Cameron | Clan MacGregor | Eireannach

STORYTELLER AND WISDOMKEEPER, ARTIST, TĀONGA PŪORO PRACTITIONER AND KAUMATUA

Inspired by Te Pu Taiao, Rua Pick's mahi is his dedicated life-long practice in Te Toi Māori. It is within Te Toi Māori is where he connects deep spiritual and heartfelt teachings into intricately woven patterns, in a way that helps even the novice begin to understand Te Ao Māori. Over a decade ago, Rua embarked into the oro journey of Taonga Pūoro, where in the creation and playing, weaves Hauora, Mātauranga and Mohioranga Māori ancient wisdoms to support the roopu and it’s work. He is also passionate about Te Māra, actively cultivating and heritage seed saving.Rua is a treasure who's intricate stories of whakapapa and mātauranga māori concepts bring a level of depth that bridges cultures and beliefs.

To be announced