Nau mai, haere mai ki Moekawa Health
Ko Motatau toku maunga
Ko Taikirau toku awa
Ko Ngātokimatawhaorua toku waka
Ko Motatau toku marae
Ko Ngāpuhi toku rohe
Ko Ngāti Hine toku iwi
Ko Ngāti Te Tarawa toku hapu
Ko Ned Peita raua ko Jane Peita (nee Cope) oku matua
Ko Chelsee Pare Taukiri Peita toku ingoa
Kia ora, my name is Chelsee and i am the founder of Moekawa Health.
Let me tell you a bit about my whānau and how Moekawa Health originated…
Born at Kawakawa Hospital and raised in the humble centre of the universe Moerewa (also known as Motown or Tuna Town), where I woke to beautiful sights of lushes ngahere at my bedroom window. Immersed in Te Reo Māori through waiata (with an exception to the King of Rock n Roll Elvis Presley), karakia, mirimiri, cracking backs, waka, whakatangi pūtātara, guitar jamming, aunties cackle and laughter, tangihanga, experiencing tikanga throughout my home, whilst on the awa/moana and sitting amongst whānau on the marae have been apart of my upbringing and I am still learning today.
Jane Peita nee Cope, my adored mother and aunty to many has been apart of the Education system for 30+ years as a Teacher. Teaching in all levels from Primary School to Intermediate and then College. Majoring in English, P.E, Arts and Social Studies and let’s not forget being my ongoing life teacher guiding me through this world as we know it!
She also represented the role (region) in Hockey, Tennis and Softball wow just what a woman I have as a mum. A favourite whakataukī my mum always said to me when I played for Bay of Islands College Hockey team was TCUP – Think Calmly Under Pressure. My mum has a very competitive streak and that has been passed down to me. I embrace it, as motivation determination and passion to love what I do and I DO.
My mum has nurtured so many rangatahi across Te Tai Tokerau, much of her teaching was in Moerewa and Kawakawa, I was fortunate to go on school trips and camps as a helper where I made some lifetime amazing friendships and memories.
Ned Peita, my dad and everyone’s Papa Ned, Parps or Uncle has been a huge teacher in my life. He is a strong advocate for Whānau, Whenua and Tikanga Māori.
He’s that Uncle that everyone is scared of but the first one there if they need him – he has taught many of my whānau many things from hī tuna, lambs tails on the fire, waka taua, Whenua, mud fights, ruku kaimoana to butchering meat a man of many talents.
Working at AFFCO for 25 years as a Butcher (I inherited a whole bunch of aunties and uncles in this time), and then moving on to the health system and supporting our whānau whether it was through the Alternative Education Program for tamariki or the Drug and Alcohol Prevention Program under Ngati Hine Health Trust dad just always has a way with helping our people. Last but not least job he was a Kaitakawaenga at the Northland DHB where besides his normal job also implemented, He Waka Kakarauri – Engaging Māori in Advanced Care Planning conversations were he facilitated first year and student doctors for over 9 years that engaged them in tikanga marae, Rongoa Māori and preparing kai (pepper and salt lettuce sandwiches hahaha).
This is just a glimpse of the two most influential people in my life and how Moekawa Health was created, I could go on but then we wouldn’t get down to the real korero of my WHY. My whānau are my why as I want to be able to give back through all my learnings to other whānau that are looking for an alternative to western medicine and I’m here for it.
Nau mai haere mai come and have a korero with me about my journey always open to a kapu tī and keke (love homemade cake hint hint).
MOEKAWA: Moerewa and Kawakawa being the place, home (kainga), people tangata whenua and environment of what and who have moulded me into the person I am today.
‘Moe’ also a maori word used for ‘sleep, rest, lay down’. The word ‘Kawa’ in my context and interpretation is meaning ‘giving strength, power, ihi, mana’…Put them together the roro is on fire! The power of rest. Sleep + Rest = Healing + Strength/Powers.
Everything in my life is surrounded by Rongoa Māori whether it be in forms of waiata, wanaga, mirirmiri, preparing kai, hikoi up maunga and through the lush ngahere, tikanga with karakia, clear and selfless intentions tera ngā rakau, listening to papatuanuku and her mokopuna, fascinated with the beauty of marama (moon) me ngā whetu (the stars), my papa karakia voice and waiata voice with my mum harmonizing, most of all the mass of Whānau connections, kanohi te kanohi (eye to eye/face to face) the relationships built loyal and genuine, energies overflowing,learnings and opportunities endless, dreams are built.
E kore au e ngaro, he kākano ahau i ruia mai i Rangiātea
I can never be lost, I am a seed sown from Rangiatea.
Mauri Ora
Chelsee Peita
Dip. HSc Th. Massage
Massage Therapist
Moekawa Health
