Te Whare Mauri Ora – Weaving Indigenous Wisdom and Western Wellbeing for Collective Flourishing
Tracks
Binna Burra Room - In-Person Only
| Wednesday, June 24, 2026 |
| 11:35 AM - 12:05 PM |
Overview
Wiremu Gray, Mana Facilitation & Dot Singh, Tuahiwi School
Presenter
Mr Wiremu Gray
Director
Mana Facilitation
Te Whare Mauri Ora – Weaving Indigenous Wisdom and Western Wellbeing for Collective Flourishing
Presentation Overview
In this presentation, Wiremu Gray will introduce Te Whare Mauri Ora, an emerging wellbeing model grounded in Māori philosophy and informed by contemporary positive psychology. Drawing on his own lived experience of adversity, healing, and personal transformation, Wiremu will share how his journey shaped his passion for helping others to grow toward their full potential.
Te Whare Mauri Ora represents a holistic approach that interweaves Indigenous wisdom with Western understanding, inviting all people—regardless of culture or background—to reconnect with their inner vitality, purpose, and sense of belonging. The model highlights the dynamic relationship between the individual, the collective, and the environments we live and work within. It emphasises that wellbeing is not only a personal state but a shared experience that flourishes when relationships, communities, and systems are healthy and connected.
This model is being widely implemented across Aotearoa New Zealand through initiatives such as Mana Ake, and by school counsellors, social workers, and community practitioners. It has had a powerful impact on engagement, relational trust, and wellbeing outcomes in both educational and social service settings.
In sharing Te Whare Mauri Ora, Wiremu will explore how environments can either enhance or diminish mauri—the vital life force within all people—and how culturally grounded, hope-centred practices can restore balance and collective wellbeing. Participants will gain insights into a practical, inclusive model that bridges Indigenous and Western worldviews, offering fresh pathways toward healing, connection, and sustainable transformation for individuals, whānau, and communities.
Three Key Learnings
1. Understand how Te Whare Mauri Ora interweaves Indigenous wisdom and positive psychology to create a holistic model for flourishing.
2. Explore the importance of mauri—the life force within individuals, whānau, and communities—and how environments can enhance or diminish wellbeing.
3. Learn practical ways to apply this model across diverse settings, recognising that true wellness is both individual and collective.
Te Whare Mauri Ora represents a holistic approach that interweaves Indigenous wisdom with Western understanding, inviting all people—regardless of culture or background—to reconnect with their inner vitality, purpose, and sense of belonging. The model highlights the dynamic relationship between the individual, the collective, and the environments we live and work within. It emphasises that wellbeing is not only a personal state but a shared experience that flourishes when relationships, communities, and systems are healthy and connected.
This model is being widely implemented across Aotearoa New Zealand through initiatives such as Mana Ake, and by school counsellors, social workers, and community practitioners. It has had a powerful impact on engagement, relational trust, and wellbeing outcomes in both educational and social service settings.
In sharing Te Whare Mauri Ora, Wiremu will explore how environments can either enhance or diminish mauri—the vital life force within all people—and how culturally grounded, hope-centred practices can restore balance and collective wellbeing. Participants will gain insights into a practical, inclusive model that bridges Indigenous and Western worldviews, offering fresh pathways toward healing, connection, and sustainable transformation for individuals, whānau, and communities.
Three Key Learnings
1. Understand how Te Whare Mauri Ora interweaves Indigenous wisdom and positive psychology to create a holistic model for flourishing.
2. Explore the importance of mauri—the life force within individuals, whānau, and communities—and how environments can enhance or diminish wellbeing.
3. Learn practical ways to apply this model across diverse settings, recognising that true wellness is both individual and collective.
Biography
Wiremu Gray is a Māori counsellor, educator, and cultural leader with over twenty years’ experience across education, leadership, and community wellbeing. He is the creator of Te Whare Mauri Ora, an innovative Indigenous wellbeing model that integrates Māori knowledge with Western psychological frameworks. Wiremu’s work focuses on enhancing holistic wellbeing, suicide prevention, and leadership through culturally grounded, strengths-based approaches. A trained Māori carver and experienced coach, he brings creativity and lived experience to his practice. Wiremu currently works alongside schools, counsellors, and community leaders across New Zealand, supporting inclusive, hope-centred systems that nurture mauri ora — flourishing life.
Mrs Dot Singh
Principal
Tuahiwi School
Te Whare Mauri Ora – Weaving Indigenous Wisdom and Western Wellbeing for Collective Flourishing
Presentation Overview
In this presentation, Wiremu Gray will introduce Te Whare Mauri Ora, an emerging wellbeing model grounded in Māori philosophy and informed by contemporary positive psychology. Drawing on his own lived experience of adversity, healing, and personal transformation, Wiremu will share how his journey shaped his passion for helping others to grow toward their full potential.
Te Whare Mauri Ora represents a holistic approach that interweaves Indigenous wisdom with Western understanding, inviting all people—regardless of culture or background—to reconnect with their inner vitality, purpose, and sense of belonging. The model highlights the dynamic relationship between the individual, the collective, and the environments we live and work within. It emphasises that wellbeing is not only a personal state but a shared experience that flourishes when relationships, communities, and systems are healthy and connected.
This model is being widely implemented across Aotearoa New Zealand through initiatives such as Mana Ake, and by school counsellors, social workers, and community practitioners. It has had a powerful impact on engagement, relational trust, and wellbeing outcomes in both educational and social service settings.
In sharing Te Whare Mauri Ora, Wiremu will explore how environments can either enhance or diminish mauri—the vital life force within all people—and how culturally grounded, hope-centred practices can restore balance and collective wellbeing. Participants will gain insights into a practical, inclusive model that bridges Indigenous and Western worldviews, offering fresh pathways toward healing, connection, and sustainable transformation for individuals, whānau, and communities.
Te Whare Mauri Ora represents a holistic approach that interweaves Indigenous wisdom with Western understanding, inviting all people—regardless of culture or background—to reconnect with their inner vitality, purpose, and sense of belonging. The model highlights the dynamic relationship between the individual, the collective, and the environments we live and work within. It emphasises that wellbeing is not only a personal state but a shared experience that flourishes when relationships, communities, and systems are healthy and connected.
This model is being widely implemented across Aotearoa New Zealand through initiatives such as Mana Ake, and by school counsellors, social workers, and community practitioners. It has had a powerful impact on engagement, relational trust, and wellbeing outcomes in both educational and social service settings.
In sharing Te Whare Mauri Ora, Wiremu will explore how environments can either enhance or diminish mauri—the vital life force within all people—and how culturally grounded, hope-centred practices can restore balance and collective wellbeing. Participants will gain insights into a practical, inclusive model that bridges Indigenous and Western worldviews, offering fresh pathways toward healing, connection, and sustainable transformation for individuals, whānau, and communities.
Biography
Ko Te Ahupatiki, ko Hikurangi ōku maunga Ko
Koukourarata, ko Waiapu ōku awa Ko Makawhiu, ko
Horouta ōku waka Ko Kai Tahu rāua ko Ngāti Porou
ōku iwi Ko Dot Singh taku ingoa Ehara taku toa i te
toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini. Success is not
the work of an individual, but the work of many. I
am the Tumuaki of Te Kura o Tuahiwi, a Māori-
medium kura in North Canterbury, with over 25
years in education. I am passionate about providing high-quality education for our ākonga and honouring the vital role of Indigenous culture in
health and wellbeing, creating spaces where our
tamariki can thrive.
