Dr Hinemoa Elder’s books Aroha and Wawata beautifully complement her own work within hauora and whānau, with reflections on our traditions, that provide reference and relevance to our present and future – “kia whakatōmuri te haere whakamua”. These literary gems are testament to Hinemoa’s own aroha and commitment to her people, sharing her knowledge and experiences that inspire us all.
While it is easy to buy books online, please support your local book shop too.
As you can see, I have written a couple of best sellers. Both published by Penguin Random House.
Aroha. Māori wisdom for a contented life lived in harmony with our planet and Wawata. Daily wisdom guided by Hina the Māori moon.
As a descendent of ocean going navigators, of survivors and innovators, and as a student of the great teachers of our language I have been told in no uncertain terms to be a puananī, a seed, transmitting our Māori cultural seeds at home and across the world.
Writing is a powerful source of the aroha deep inside and all around us. Writing is at the heart of growing these cultural seeds for me. I love writing.
As a medical specialist my writing has taken many forms over the years. Writing for whānau, extended families. For the courts. For Ministries, departments. Think tanks. Academic papers. Book chapters. Strategies. Reviews and recommendations. I find writing for different audiences a deeply satisfying challenge.
For us Māori, words have their own mana, their own potency, status and responsibilities. We say “he tao rākau e taea te karo, he tao kupu e kore e taea”. “The strike of a spear can be avoided, the thrust of words cannot.”
This is the opposite of the English saying, “sticks and stones may break my bones by words will never hurt me.”
Lived experience from a young age has taught me that the English one just isn’t true.
Forensic psychiatrist Hinemoa Elder explores how the conventional science CV doesn’t respect the achievements of women, especially ethnically diverse women.
