Episode 49- Heal the Hauraki: yarns on healing, helping and hope with Cassie and Mandy
Why is connection with nature just as important as connection with others? And how can we incorporate Mātaraunga Māori and the leadership of wāhine Māori in healing the world around us?
On this episode I am joined by the powerhouse bestie duo that is Cassie Roma and Mandy Kupenga to yarn about their project, "Heal the Hauraki". They share the origin story behind their friendship- from the first email, to co-producing a docuseries and the shared vision of an incredible digital media campaign (dropping soon!).
Mandy explains the "why" behind Heal the Hauraki, and the environmental challenges facing the Hauraki Gulf in Aotearoa New Zealand. Environmental concerns are a global issue, but we can use an indigenous lens such as Mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) to find solutions that are better for us, and Papatūānuku (Mother Earth). Both Cassie and Mandy yarn about the importance of uplifting stories and messages of hope, and the power of a community-focused approach. Cassie also saw the strength of wāhine Māori working intergenerationally, empowering their children, grandchildren and rangatahi in the community to be a part of the solution.
Mandy and Cassie share what they have learnt about healing from producing this docuseries, and how witnessing each other's healing and joy has brought them so much closer. Their reflections inspire us to reconnect with ourselves, in partnership with nature, and embrace our own uniqueness.
To follow along for updates about the project when it lands, head over to Instagram @healthehauraki. If you want to keep fangirling with me over all the other awesome mahi these two are doing, check out the following links:
Mandy- Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
Cassie- Instagram, LinkedIn, Kindness Warriors Podcast.
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If you loved this episode and you want to keep updated on when new episodes are released, head over and find me on Instagram @yarnsforthesoulnicole- see you there!