Elder, healer and leader in the Maori community Dr. Rangimarie Turuki Rose Pere tells her story and shows us the true meaning of self-acceptance.

Rose Pere is a Maori elder, healer and leader who is significantly recognized throughout the Maori community and is also the writer of Te Wheke which talks about the Maori health models linking between our minds, spirit and our whanau.

Pere treats the concept of Te Wheke as an octopus, as the head of the octopus represents whānau, whilst the eyes of the octopus reflects the total wellbeing for the individual and family and each of the eight tentacles reflects:

Wairuatanga – spirituality Hinengaro – the mind Taha tinana – physical wellbeing Whanaungatanga – extended family Mauri – life force in people and objects Mana ake – unique identity of individuals and family Hā a koro ma, a kui ma – breath of life from forbearers Whatumanawa – the open and healthy expression of emotion


Rose Pere is an inspiration who needs to be acknowledged within a wider context as she is constantly stressing how important it is to be ourselves as it does not matter what others think what matters is what we, ourselves want to become. (Source)