Mauri Tui Tuia - Creative Therapies NZ

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Mauri Tui Tuia - Creative Therapies NZ

Mauri Tui Tuia offers empowering, tailored, and practical workshops, courses, creative therapy sessions and classroom support.

Our team of registered arts, dance movement and music therapists work throughout Tai Tokerau and Tāmaki Makaurau.

13/04/2026

This is one of the clearest impact stories we’ve seen, because it’s not about “liking the workshop”. It’s about real confidence change.

In rubric self-ratings (centres reflecting on their confidence supporting diverse learners and tamariki impacted by trauma/neurodiversity through music, movement and rhythm):
• Before the intervention, 61.2% rated themselves as ineffective or only just beginning to be effective.
• After, 60.7% rated themselves as highly effective or consolidating effectiveness.
• And 95.3% of centres improved their confidence by at least one full level.

That shift matters because kaiako are the ones holding the day-to-day rhythms - transitions, big feelings, conflict, sensory overload, tiredness, anxiety… all of it. When kaiako feel resourced and steady, tamariki feel it too.

If your team is feeling a bit stretched, you’re not alone, and there are ways to make the day calmer without adding more to the workload.

09/04/2026

If you’ve ever had a day where the energy in the room is all over the show, you’re not alone. And you’re not doing anything “wrong”.

At Mauri Tui Tuia, we offer creative therapy sessions, workshops, courses and ecological support, with one clear goal: calm connection.

That means supporting wellbeing in a way that’s sustainable for the whole system: tamariki, whānau, and the adults holding the space. And there really are doable ways here - things like considering how we nourish our own sensory systems as the adults in the room, using start-stops effectively to support focus and then extend learning, or supporting regulation with weighted tools and heavy play.

A big part of our mahi is working inside early childhood centres and schools, alongside teams- not swooping in with a “one size fits all” solution. We tailor the approach to each centre’s kaupapa, whether that’s:
• whole-centre workshops for kaiako and whānau
• a therapist working flexibly within the centre
• or targeted support for specific learners

Our practice is underpinned by Te Whare Tapa Whā, with a commitment to Te Tiriti partnership and bicultural practice. We believe wellbeing is whole-of-person (and whole-of-community).

If your team is wanting practical tools that actually work in real life (not just in theory), we’re here, and we’d love to kōrero.

07/04/2026

Big mahi, big hearts. 💛
So far, we’ve had the privilege of walking alongside 1,646 kaiako, 195 centres, and 8,727 tamariki through our creative therapy programmes.

Our kaupapa is simple: calm connection- using music, movement and the arts to support wellbeing in ways that actually work in real life (not just in theory). Just to whet your appetite, some of our most commonly highlighted activities that teachers love are Baby Butterfly, the Safety Sandwich, mirroring, Sing It Don't Say It... we developed this mahi specifically for teachers working with tamariki who have experienced trauma, or are neurodivergent.

If you’re a centre or school and you’re thinking “yep… we could use that”, flick us a message. Easy. 🌿

01/04/2026

🧠 Trauma‑Informed Creative Therapy

Our registered, masters-level creative therapists draw from dance, movement, music, drama, and visual arts to support regulation, connection, and calm.

Our bicultural practice is grounded in Te Whare Tapa Whā and trauma‑informed principles.

Creative therapy allows tamariki and whānau to safely explore experiences when words aren’t enough.

Find out more about our therapy here: https://www.maurituituia.com/therapy-services

30/03/2026

✨ Introducing Pala Fisher - Creative Arts Therapist (Tāmaki Makaurau / Waiheke Island)

Born in Taranaki and now based on Te Motu‑arai‑roa/Waiheke Island, Pala brings 25+ years of experience as an educator, performer, and creative facilitator.

She’s passionate about trauma‑informed care in schools and believes deeply in the healing power of play, movement, and imagination.

At Mauri Tui Tuia, Pala follows child‑led, heart‑centred curiosity - inviting all the arts into the therapeutic process. 🎨✨

Pala is supporting our schools in the Glen Innes area with weekly arts therapy sessions - ka pai, Pala! So glad you're in our team !

Read more about our mahi in schools here: https://www.maurituituia.com/where-we-work/schools
And more about Pala here: https://www.maurituituia.com/staff/pala-fisher

25/03/2026

🎨 Why Messy Play?

Messy Play feeds the sensory system, encourages creative risks, supports regulation, builds resilience, and it’s fun!

Messy play helps tamariki:
• let go of outcomes
• explore textures + sensory experiences
• release endorphins
• strengthen adaptability + problem‑solving

How does your whānau feel about messy play? Tell us below!

Read more about our early childhood work here: https://www.maurituituia.com/where-we-work/early-childhood-education

23/03/2026

✨ Introducing Madison Elrick — Registered Creative Arts Therapist (Whangārei)

Madison joined us in February from the Bunurong Land of the Kulin Nations (South‑East Victoria).

She uses person‑centred, trauma‑informed Art Therapy to support young people through art, play, and sensory exploration.

With lived experience of disability, she brings deep empathy and curiosity to her work, helping children and whānau express, reflect, and connect through creativity. 🎨💫

Madison is working full time in our Northland schools, supporting tamariki and rangatahi through weekly arts therapy sessions. We're so glad to have her as part of our team!

Read more about Madison here: https://www.maurituituia.com/staff/madison-elrick
And you can read about our school mahi here: https://www.maurituituia.com/where-we-work/schools

18/03/2026

✨ Why Arts Therapy Works

At Mauri Tui Tuia, arts therapy isn’t about being “good at art.” It’s about expression, safety, and connection.

Arts therapy helps clients:
• express emotions too big for words
• regulate their nervous systems
• integrate thinking, feeling + sensory processes
• build self‑esteem + resilience
• discover inner strengths and identity

Creativity engages the whole brain - and helps make the invisible visible.

It’s a trauma‑informed, flexible, client‑led process designed for tamariki, rangatahi, adults, whānau and groups.

More about arts therapy here: https://www.maurituituia.com/therapies/arts-therapy

16/03/2026

✨ Introducing Katie Browne — our new Business & Finance Manager (Whangārei / Tai Tokerau)

Having just joined us in January, Katie is a Chartered Accountant supporting Mauri Tui Tuia through growth, change, and operational excellence.

She’s passionate about ensuring all children and whānau, no matter their background, are supported to live their best possible life.

Katie is excited to champion and empower our incredible team of therapists. 📊🌿 And we couldn't be happier to have her financial savvy and super-warm people skills helping support our mahi!

More about what we do here: www.maurituituia.com

11/03/2026

💬 Feedback moment: What people are saying…

“You guys are magic! I love how we got to sing, move, and learn the ‘why’ behind music and movement.”
“Essential new learning and support that is progressive.”
“Your team is amazing - current, relatable, enjoyable.”

We’re grateful to work alongside kaiako, whānau and organisations across Tai Tokerau & Tāmaki Makaurau. We've worked with over 200 early childhood centres over the last five years - and we look forward to more!

If you work in an ECE centre in Tai Tokerau or Tāmaki Makaurau, reach out to info@maurituituia.com to get on our waiting list for fully funded professional development!

More about our workshops here: https://www.maurituituia.com/workshop-packages/calm-connection-in-early-childhood

09/03/2026

✨ Introducing Antonio — Music Educator & Emerging Music Therapist

Antonio is a music educator and emerging music therapist with a focus on early childhood education.
With a Bachelor of Music (BMOS + Jazz Performance) and a newly completed Master of Music Therapy, his practice is shaped by a lifelong love of ethnic music and Indigenous instruments.

He believes in music as a powerful pathway to connection, wellbeing, and healing. 🎶💛

We're delighted to have Antonio working as part of our team supporting early childhood centres through music and movement professional development in Tāmaki Makaurau.

Read more about Antonio here: https://www.maurituituia.com/staff/antonio-karam
and you can read more about our early childhood mahi here: https://www.maurituituia.com/where-we-work/early-childhood-education

04/03/2026

🌿 Creative Therapies in ECE

Did you know Mauri Tui Tuia therapists work in kindergartens, kōhanga reo, ECE centres, daycares and play centres across Tai Tokerau and Tāmaki Makaurau?

Our approach includes:
• whole‑centre workshops
• kaiako and whānau sessions
• in‑centre therapy for tamariki
• flexible support tailored to each centre’s kaupapa

We focus on ecological growth - supporting tamariki, whānau and kaimahi to thrive together.
Read more about our mahi in ECE centres here: https://www.maurituituia.com/where-we-work/early-childhood-education

Address

Whangarei
0112

Telephone

+6421598114

Website

http://www.maurituituia.com/

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