Te Ara - Becoming The Woman

Saturday 20th September | 10.30am-1pm | Whakatāne Yacht Club

You are not broken.
You are becoming.

There comes a time in every woman's life when she pauses and realises—

She's no longer who she was.

But she's not quite who she’s becoming either.

She’s in-between.
In the shedding.
In the stretching.
In the sacred middle.

And maybe...

that in-between space was never meant to be walked alone.

Te Ara: Becoming The Woman is a powerful morning gathering created especially for wāhine — across generations — to sit together, reflect deeply, eat well, and rise again.

Whether you’re a teenage girl discovering her voice,
a māmā holding everyone else together,
or a nanny full of wisdom and quiet strength—

This space was dreamed for you.

Meet the Wāhine Behind the Kōrero

Because wisdom isn’t always found in books — sometimes it’s sitting across the table from you.

At the heart of this event is a panel of wāhine Māori who aren’t just talking points, they’re truth-bearers.
They’ve walked through hardship, heartbreak, and healing.
They’ve carried their whānau through storms.
They’ve said no to silence and yes to becoming.

And now, they’re ready to share what helped them find their way.

You won’t hear curated perfection or surface-level inspiration.
You’ll hear real kōrero.
Hard-won wisdom.
God-given strength.

These are the kinds of stories that stay with you.
That shift something inside you.
That remind you: you’re not the only one walking this road — and you don’t have to walk it alone.

Phillipa Wirangi - Co-Host

Phillipa is a mother and businesswoman who leads with courage, conviction, and deep compassion — because she’s lived what many only survive.

She’s walked through divorce, grieved the loss of a son, and endured a season where her other son was taken, and she was left without answers.
It was in that heartbreak that God met her — and she chose not just to survive, but to surrender everything to Him.

From that place, she rebuilt.
Now, she mentors wāhine to lead boldly, build with purpose, and walk in alignment with God’s call on their lives.

Her heart for Te Ara is simple:
To create the kind of sacred, honest space she once needed — and now offers to others.

Italy Ngaropo - Co-Host

Through her own lived experiences, Italy Ngaropo is a proud Māori wahine and mama of five, committed to empowering Indigenous women through movement, cultural practice, and ancestral knowledge. She leads with heart and whakapapa bringing her whole self to the work.

Rooted in Te Whare Tapa Rima and guided by her tīpuna, Italy supports wāhine to reconnect with their bodies and purpose through movement and wairua led practice. She lives closely with the natural world as a hunter, gatherer and amateur forager, embodying mātauranga Māori in everyday life.

Te Ara was created as the sacred space she once needed herself. A place to listen, learn and be uplifted by the voices of everyday wāhine doing extraordinary things.

Debbie Hyland - Panelist

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Radine Moka - Panelist

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Maria Elliot - Panelist

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Rangipare Ngaropo - Panelist

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Diana Kingi - Panelist

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What You'll Receive From Their Stories

Truth that helps you name what you’ve been carrying
Laughter that feels like release
Wisdom and grounding that point you back to your identity
Language for what you’ve been feeling but couldn’t quite name
Gentle encouragement to keep becoming the woman you are called to be

This is your chance to learn, not from theory, but from lived experience.
From wāhine who’ve walked through fire,
and didn’t come out burnt —
they came out refined.

Pull up a seat.
Let them speak life into your season.

STEP 1: ENTER YOUR INFORMATION

STEP 2: CHOOSE PAYMENT METHOD

STEP 3: REVIEW AND CONFIRM YOUR SEAT

EVENT INFO

Location: Whakatāne Yacht Club
Date: Saturday 20 September 2025
Time: 10:30am – 1:00pm
Includes: Morning Tea · Panel kōrero · Connection
Investment: $65

Limited seats available to keep it personal, intimate, and meaningful.

PRICE DETAILS

Your personal data will be used to process your order, support your experience throughout this website, and for other purposes described in our privacy policy.

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?

WHO IS THIS EVENT FOR?

This space is for wāhine of all ages and stages — from teen girls to aunties to nannies. Whether you're in a season of healing, growth, leadership, or rediscovery, this event was created to meet you where you are.

IS THIS EVENT FAITH-BASED?

This event is rooted in values of faith, legacy, identity, tīpuna, wairua, and honouring God — but it’s not a church service. Wāhine from all walks of life are welcome. All speakers speak from our personal journeys with wairua and belief, and hold space for others to do the same.

WILL THERE BE KAI?

The most important question... Yes, your ticket includes a delicious morning tea with gluten-free and vegetarian options available, as well beverages.

CAN I COME BY MYSELF?

Absolutely. Many wāhine will arrive solo and leave feeling deeply connected and with new sisters. This is a safe, welcoming space — no cliques, no judgement, just real kōrero and genuine sisterhood.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?

Whatever makes you feel grounded, comfortable, and beautiful. Some may come in vintage or floral styles, others in everyday wear or Redbands. There’s no pressure — this is not a fashion show, it’s a heart space.

WHAT IF I'M NOT MĀORI, CAN I STILL ATTEND?

While this space is designed by and for wāhine Māori, all women who honour the kaupapa are welcome with aroha (love). We ask that you come with humility, respect, and openness.