Tohu Creations

29/07/2025

Kia ora e te Iwi,

It has been a long time since we last shared an update with you.

I have missed our toi whānau so much. Each and every whānau member who we had the honour to meet, to mahi along side of and off course those who have continued to check in along the way.

We are still here... still have a bit of mahi to do. We have spent the last few months focussing on whānau time. Making each day count, creating memories and working closely with our Tamariki to help them find what makes them happy.

It's funny we never really know how we will deal with certain situations until we are there but, the hardest part can be embracing change... no matter what or how that looks.

Our journey so far has lead to our two boys being diagnosed takiwatanga.. one at grade 2 the eldest at grade 3 ... always a challenge but not a bad thing as it has prepared us for the last assessment to be done which is for our girl.

Embracing their unique ways... their thought patterns... their unusual, has been exciting as they start to understand that their normal and that's ok... its been trippy and at some points felt like we were constantly climbing a never ending hill of emotions, fear and turmoil until all of a sudden... the release... letting go and see what happens.

The last few months we've looked at ways to help manage our emotions as a whānau. Finding ways process and wānanga....Kōrero... started with weaving... working with the Hūe, painting. It wasn't until I received some beautiful pounamu to work on that our tamariki found something that made them excited.

Our 14 and 15 year olds are learning to flow with the natural shape of their pounamu, learning to karakia before they begin to create their tāonga and, when they're finished they have their blessed so they can gift them to whoever they made it for. Our 23 year old has started blogging his journey.

It has been a huge run for our little whanau... the tears, laughter and excitement all wrapped up in blessings.

We couldn't have done it all on our own without Io, without whānau we have met along the way that have shared their experiences with us too.

We are blessed to still be able awhi whānau or businesses where we can just as our extended whānau have blessed us along the way too.

Io bless your week whānau 💚

25/05/2025

Nau Mai haere mai whānau ma✨️💕

✨ Special Hauora Day Clinic – Brunswick ✨
✨TOMORROW WHĀNAU ✨

We’re excited to bring a powerful Hauora Pop-Up to the community, held at the exclusive new cultural space Balam Balam Place (Blak Dot Gallery) in Brunswick.

This is a special gathering with visiting tohunga from Aotearoa and our wider rōpū from Queensland—coming together to mahi along side us
offering:
🌀 Mahi a Io
🌿 Rongoā Consultations
🤲🏽 Mirimiri
✨ Kōmiri

Whether you’re experiencing aches & pains, hormonal shifts, anxiety, or just need someone to kōrero to, this is the place to be.
🧡Whakawhānaungatanga
✨ Kotahitanga
🧡Manaakitanga

🌀 Sunday 25th May
📍 Balam Balam Place – Blak Dot Gallery, Brunswick
⏰ 10am – 3pm
🌿 All are welcome - PM TO BOOK | WALK INS WELCOME
💰Cost: Koha

✨ PLUS –Pae Wānanga will be running a Hangi Fundraiser on the day to support our upcoming Public Hautapu Ceremony happening Saturday 21st June.

🍽️ Hangi Combo $30
✨Hangi, Chicken,pork,lamb,potato,pumpkin,kumara,
Cabbage and stuffing
✨Fry Bread
✨Steam Pudding and Custard
✨Can of Drink
– Get in early, they’ll go fast!
❤️PM TO ORDER❤️

NAU NAI HAERE MAI

13/05/2025

Kia ora e te Iwi 🌿

Only 3 more days until the our very last toi workshop.

As we make last minute preparations.... our tamariki cleaning and setting hūe... my Tāne finishing tukutuku stands for whanau to take home, I have been reflecting on all the blessings we have received along the way.

I thank Io for the many opportunities we have been given to work alongside and meet stunning Roopu, Pākihi and community groups here in Melbourne, Brisbane and Auckland.

The elders and first nations Whānau we have been privileged to meet.... the many Wahine, Tāne and tamariki coming to join us along the way has been amazing. Watching our tamariki connect and flourish through their toi is breathtaking and one of the very reasons Tohu Creations came to be.

We are absolutely humbled to have been able to share, to koha and to guide whānau to mould their own kōrero. .. to connect to each tāonga they create and bring fourth the pūrākau that sits within.

For those joining us this weekend, please message me if you haven't received our address for the weekend.

Io bless you whānau 💕🌿✨️
A huge thankyou to everyone we have met throughout our journey here in Naarm.

11/05/2025

Hari rā Māmā to all our beautiful Mums, Nannies, Aunties, Papa's and carers out there who spend each day making sure our babies are confident, for...holding space and energy for them when they need it.. and reminding them they are always loved.

You are just stunning. We hope today was a day filled with blessings 💕✨️🔥

16/04/2025

Kia Ora e te Iwi,

We have only a few more spaces avaiable for our weekend of Toi which will be our very last workshop.

Unfortunately, due to a change in our hauora journey this means we have also had to cancel our plans to hold a workshop in Brisbane.

If you would like to join us for the weekend... please feel free to PM me or message our page.

Bookings will be open until Friday 2nd May to give us time to complete your tukutuku frame to work from.

✨️✨️Melbourne✨️✨️
Thomastown: 17th and 18th

DAY ONE:

We will delve into learning more about the Hūe... combining tukutuku, creating Ipu Whenua, Ipu Pungarehu.. (I use this word in replace of tūpāpaku)

These are just a few things we'll will look at... what draws to you is what we will work with.

For those who wish to create Hūe Rama the option is still available to do so.

DAY TWO:

We've set aside just for tukutuku using contemporary materials and harakeke if available . My Tāne is working on creating frames to hold the rākau in to work from.

This will allow you to create more in future as well as you will take these home with you when the workshop is complete.

TIME:
Both days
10am - 4pm as a guide however you're welcome to stay as long as you like to complete your tāonga and join us for dinner too.

EXCHANGE: $300
Afterpay Payment options available

Payment arrangements are available.
All tools and tāonga provided for you to take home.. Kai will be available.

Nau Mai Hāere Mai 🌿

09/04/2025

I could definately use some help organising our toi space and rongoā cupboards.

Beautiful mahi Kelz ✨️

09/04/2025

Umm... it's interesting what pops up on my feed somedays. With everything that is happening at home we get some funky messages from non Māori or just random people.... you have to giggle though... my first two bans from the page it appears.

04/04/2025

Mōrena e te Iwi,
What a stunning start to the day in Melbourne today. The birds are in full chorus and blue skies are calling for a day outing.

As we prepare our morning and get ourselves ready to celebrate the life of one of our dearest friends I thought I would get some time in with our kākahu.

One of my least favourite things about tāniko, is finding out you've missed an aho.... then having to undo it just to correct it 🫣 omgosh... I guess it could always have been worse ne.

Enjoy your weekend... make great memories each day with your loved ones.

🌿✨️

02/04/2025

Nau Mai Hāere Mai whānau mā,

Needing a reset or feeling unbalanced?... come see the whānau this weekend in Dandenong 🌿💚

Kia ora e te iwi,

✨✨✨ HAUORA SPACE DANDENONG ✨✨✨

💜 THIS SUNDAY, APRIL 6TH💜

🌀 Mahi a Io
🤲🏽 Mirimiri & Romiromi
✨ Kōmirimiri
🌿 Rongoā Māori

Whether you’re experiencing aches & pains, hormonal shifts, anxiety, or just need someone to kōrero to, this is the place to be.

💜Whakawhānaungatanga
✨ Kotahitanga
💜 Manaakitanga

🌿 Limited spaces available – send us a message to book.

🤍💜 Nau mai, haere mai! 💜🤍

01/04/2025

Kia Ora e te Iwi,

We have a few more spaces avaiable for our weekend of Toi here in Thomastown 17th and 18th May.

Day One:

We will emerge ourselves in the world of hūe looking at and creating what draws to you. An Ipu Whenua, an Ipu karakia, Hue Rama?? Ahakoa hei aha te tohu mōu... that's what we will work with.

Day Two:

The Intricate art of Tukutuku
The most exciting thing for me growing up was sitting in our Wharenui surrounded by the pūrākau of our tukutuku panels. I have to admit, it wasn't as much fun sitting on the other side of the panel having to make them but, there is no other feeling than the one you get looking up from your pillow and the tukutuku sits above you.

We will work with a tukutuku frame which is currently being made for you to work from and, you will be able to take this home... not only will you be able to continue working on your frame but, when you're finished...you will have the tools to create a new panel.

Date: 17th and 18th May
Time: 10am - 3pm (both days)
Venue: Clarke Street Thomastown
Exchange: $250 Earlybird
$300

Early Bird pricing is valid Until Friday 4th April. Payments plans and Afterpay are available upon request or, scan code for trybooking link.

Nau Mai, haere mai whānau
PM for further details 🌿

30/03/2025

Oooh I love these opportunities ✨️ looking at doing a one on one to create your own floral and harakeke tāonga? This is definately the place to come along to 💕

30/03/2025

One thing my nanny taught me when I was little was to keep my hands busy. It helps us Wānanga within...

It's been a little bit ainceqemade ourlast kākahu but we start the first of three this weekend. 584 whenu... looking forward to the kōrero 🌿