Taranga
This is the ingoa (name) for the Kumete (carved repository) originally gifted to Australia and New Zealand College of Mental Health Nurses (ANZCMHN), as a Koha Aroha (gift of love) by the Auckland sub-branch who hosted the ANZCMHN Conference in Auckland in 1996. Until 2003, Taranga resided in Australia, being cared for by the host branch of each year’s ANZCMHN conference.
Taranga had an integral role in the ANZCMHN College’s Annual Conference and official ceremonies. It was returned to New Zealand for the ANZCMHN Conference in Rotorua in 2003, where it was received by the New Zealand Branch as the official Powhiri.
It has remained in New Zealand since, as we became an identity in our own rights as Te Ao Māramatanga New Zealand College of Mental Health Nurses.
To view the history of Taranga, narrated by Ron Baker, Kaumatua, Ngāti Porou, please click here.
Taranga Journey
Taranga Time in Te Tai Tokerau
MĀORI CAUCUS – BIENNIAL WĀNANGA, WAITANGI
11 & 12 NOVEMBER 2025
Taranga has spent time between visits, with Huia members and their whānau – continuing to share her mauri widely with those seeking oranga.
5 DECEMBER 2025 – Te Rūnanga O Aotearoa, Terenga Paraoa Marae – Whangārei
15 DECEMBER 2025 – Whetū Kanapa Dinner, acknowledging Tish ma Johnny Siaosi, Tāmaki Makaurau
18 DECEMBER 2025 – Taranga’s whakatau into Whare Manaia, Whangarei
8 MAY 2026 – The College, Rūnanga me Kaunihera Dinner, Ngāwha
FURTHER KORERO TO FOLLOW…
Haerenga o Te Tai Taker
KO NGĀ NEEHI TŌ PUMANAWA
MŌ TE WHĀNAU, 2026
HĀERENGA O TARANGI O TE TAI TOKERAU
Taranga, our taonga, remembered as the mother of ‘Maui’, connecting indigenous peoples across oceans. Initially gifted to strengthen mauri ora (individual wellbeing), whānau ora (collective strength and connection) and wai ora (relational and cultural environments). During Taranga time in Te Tai Tokerau she has inspired wellbeing initiatives, shared narratives and visual identity that are embedded recovery‑oriented, trauma‑informed and culturally grounded mental health and addictions practice while supporting workforce wellbeing and sustainability.
TAI TE TOKERAU, 2025
WHAKPIKI WAIRUA – WHAKATAU WAIRUA
RECHARGE – HEALING THE HEALER
HAERE MAI RĀ, E TE HUIA KAIMANAWA, HEI ARATAKI I TE ARA
In discussion with our ‘kahui’ the phase ‘huia’ was coined to describe the role of the roopū who have taken the lead in caring for Taranga while she is in Te Tai Tokerau.
“Come forth, treasured huia, to guide the path ahead”
The following symbol was selected to represent the roopū, and a 2nd symbol was gifted to our kahui roopū who are leading MHAS workforce wellbeing