💙✨ Mānawatia a Matariki ✨💙

Matariki is a time of remembrance, gratitude, and looking forward.

This year, my heart has held many emotions — gratitude, reflection, anticipation, and deep sadness.

While I was waiting for the arrival of my matariki baby, I received the news that my first Rongoā kaiako (teacher), Melani Burchett, had passed away.

Thousands of people gathered to honour her life and the extraordinary legacy she leaves behind. One tribute especially stayed with me:

“Some people leave footprints. She opened the pathway of Rongoā for future generations.”

Those words beautifully describe the impact Melani had.

I feel incredibly grateful that my journey brought me to learn from her. Melani was one of the South Island’s leading Rongoā practitioners and educators, and she founded the only NZQA-recognised Rongoā programme in the South Island. Many of today’s Rongoā kaiako and practitioners were once her students.

Although I could not attend her farewell in person, I spent time reflecting on the teachings she shared and the many lives she touched.

What My Rongoā Teacher Taught Me

When I first began studying Rongoā, I thought I was learning about native medicinal plants.

But Melani showed me something much deeper.

Rongoā is not only about plants.

It is about relationships.

It is about connection — with the whenua (land), with our ancestors, with our communities, and with ourselves.

In te ao Māori, wellbeing is holistic. The body, mind, spirit, environment, and relationships are not separate pieces. They exist together.

Instead of only asking:

“What is wrong with this person?”

we can ask:

“What relationships need restoring?”

This way of understanding healing has deeply influenced my own work.

Whether I am teaching Tai Chi, Qi Gong, meditation, or creating Rongoā-inspired wellbeing products, I return to the same intention:

How can we support people to reconnect with their own inner wisdom and restore balance in their lives?

Healing is not something we give to another person.

It is something we create the conditions for — so each person can reconnect with their own strength, their own awareness, and their own journey.

Carrying Her Teachings Forward

One korero  with Melani has stayed with me:

“As long as you want to continue on the Rongoā path, I’m committed to helping you achieve your goals.”

Her words reflected the generosity of a true teacher.

A teacher does not simply pass on knowledge.

A teacher plants seeds.

Those seeds continue to grow through every person who carries the teachings forward.

As I prepare to step into motherhood, I find myself thinking about legacy even more deeply.

-What do we leave behind?

-What kindness do we pass on?

-What pathways do we open for others?

Melani's legacy reminds me that healing begins with people.
Manakitanga matters.
Whanaungatanga matters.
Kaitiakitanga matters.

He aha te mea nui o te ao?
He tangata, he tangata, he tangata.
What is the most important thing in the world?
It is people, it is people, it is people.

The Healing Journey Continues

We heal not just for ourselves. We heal to honour those who came before us, to strengthen those walking beside us, and to leave a healthier legacy for the generations who follow. 

As I transition into motherhood, my journey with Healing Hut is also evolving.

There are many offerings close to my heart — reopening my Healing Hut studio, sharing hands-on healing sessions, Tai Chi in the Park, and creating opportunities for people to reconnect with nature through foraging and Rongoā-inspired walks.

These offerings are deeply rooted in connection, relationship, and place. However, I also recognise the importance of creating a sustainable way to continue sharing these teachings during this new chapter of life.

My online Tai Chi and Qi Gong programmes are one way I can continue walking alongside my students, wherever they are, while creating space for motherhood and family. Students will receive: 

🌀 Beginner-friendly step-by-step lessons
📖 Six months’ access to practise at your own pace
💬 Weekly live Q&A support
🌺 A caring online community to support your journey

A Matariki Reflection

As we look towards the rising of Matariki, may we remember those who have guided us, honour the wisdom they shared, and continue walking the pathways they helped open.

The light in your eyes is a gift to others.

With warmth and gratitude,

Jingjing 💛