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Aroha: Maori wisdom for a contented life lived in harmony with our planet
As seen on Oprah's Book Club! The #1 New Zealand Bestseller! Discover how to live a happier life - simple, traditional wisdom for difficult modern times.Aroha is an ancient Maori word and way of thinking. Maori psychiatrist Dr Hinemoa Elder explores how Aroha can help us all by sharing 52 thought-provoking whakatauki, traditional Maori life lessons - one for each week of the year.Discover how we can all find greater contentment and kindness for ourselves, each other and our world by understanding how we might invite the values of Aroha into our daily lives.Ki te kotahi te kakaho ka whati, ki te kapuia, e kore e whati.When we stand alone we are vulnerable but together we are unbreakable.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 8, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
June 4, 2021
UPDATE: 05/06/2021 - This gem of a book has been mentioned in one of Oprah's Book club lists!
Well that was a gentle and meaningful meditation on whakataukī that provide the wisdom of mātauranga Māori in terms of relationships with each other and our environment. Loved it.
Well that was a gentle and meaningful meditation on whakataukī that provide the wisdom of mātauranga Māori in terms of relationships with each other and our environment. Loved it.
September 11, 2023
As a Pakeha lately I've become enchanted by Whakatauki (they are essentially Maori proverbs, but its a little more subtle than that, they aren't religious in nature, but sit with deeper wisdom than just a 'saying'). Its so easy to get myopic and focussed on one's own culture and upbringing - and only give other peoples a tokenistic look - But more and more I'm starting to learn and learn to SEE the wisdom of Tikanga, especially around mental health and environmental issues.
Enter Aroha. Hinemoa Elder's work isn't just a listicle of good Whakatauki, she also provides a short essay of her reflections on each, and heavy doses of wisdom both from her professional experience as a psychiatrist and just as a generally wise and loving person. Elder is the sort of healthy a caring individual that I wish I could just read 2-3 pages of wisdom from everyday forever.
Furthermore, Aroha is a very accessible work, you don't need to be versed in Te Reo or neck deep in understand of Kawa and Tikanga, (although I assume its no problem if you are) I imagine and hope it would even be good reading for non-kiwis too.
Highly recommended.
Enter Aroha. Hinemoa Elder's work isn't just a listicle of good Whakatauki, she also provides a short essay of her reflections on each, and heavy doses of wisdom both from her professional experience as a psychiatrist and just as a generally wise and loving person. Elder is the sort of healthy a caring individual that I wish I could just read 2-3 pages of wisdom from everyday forever.
Furthermore, Aroha is a very accessible work, you don't need to be versed in Te Reo or neck deep in understand of Kawa and Tikanga, (although I assume its no problem if you are) I imagine and hope it would even be good reading for non-kiwis too.
Highly recommended.
February 7, 2021
I came for the exquisite book cover, was intrigued by the lyrical sound of the title and proceeded to stay for the contents.
What might seem like yet another self-help book is actually a very soothing and insightful take on the relationship that we have with ourselves, our loved ones and Mother Earth.
AROHA is an ancient Māori word and concept of life. It encompasses respect, love, empathy and an ancient wellspring from which we can constantly draw wisdom, emotional strength and mental readjustments to lead our rather rushed and stressed lives with more clarity.
These nuggets of wisdom are conveyed through whakatauki (pronounced far-car-tow-key) which are indigenous New Zealand proverbs and sayings. The author, Dr Hinemoa Elder is a child and adolescent psychiatrist with many academic and professional feathers in her cap. But her way of communicating these life lessons feels like Moana’s twinkly-eyed, dare-to-follow-your-heart grandmother and all your ancestors have gathered to soothe your troubled mind.
There is a great deal of dignity and sage yet practical advice that this book imparts. You want to slow down, look deep within and slowly but surely implement all those little bits of advice that have unknowingly but surely been passed down from time immemorial.
The Māori believe that they are deeply entwined with the land and its bounty. Seeing the very-real, sincerely scary changes that our planet is going through makes the homilies of this book all the more relevant and pertinent.
AHORA is a steady, sound, slightly magical and very respectful book.
Definitely worth dipping into from time to time.
What might seem like yet another self-help book is actually a very soothing and insightful take on the relationship that we have with ourselves, our loved ones and Mother Earth.
AROHA is an ancient Māori word and concept of life. It encompasses respect, love, empathy and an ancient wellspring from which we can constantly draw wisdom, emotional strength and mental readjustments to lead our rather rushed and stressed lives with more clarity.
These nuggets of wisdom are conveyed through whakatauki (pronounced far-car-tow-key) which are indigenous New Zealand proverbs and sayings. The author, Dr Hinemoa Elder is a child and adolescent psychiatrist with many academic and professional feathers in her cap. But her way of communicating these life lessons feels like Moana’s twinkly-eyed, dare-to-follow-your-heart grandmother and all your ancestors have gathered to soothe your troubled mind.
There is a great deal of dignity and sage yet practical advice that this book imparts. You want to slow down, look deep within and slowly but surely implement all those little bits of advice that have unknowingly but surely been passed down from time immemorial.
The Māori believe that they are deeply entwined with the land and its bounty. Seeing the very-real, sincerely scary changes that our planet is going through makes the homilies of this book all the more relevant and pertinent.
AHORA is a steady, sound, slightly magical and very respectful book.
Definitely worth dipping into from time to time.
November 26, 2023
A lovely one to have on your bedside, so you can read a whakatauki each day. And really special to have a book that taps into Māori wisdom, especially as my own tīpuna aren’t here anymore to share theirs.
Sometimes the interpretations were a bit random / quite specific to the author, but that’s also what’s cool about these proverbs ~ everyone takes something different away from them.
Sometimes the interpretations were a bit random / quite specific to the author, but that’s also what’s cool about these proverbs ~ everyone takes something different away from them.
January 31, 2021
The book has an easy conversational style, which makes for smooth reading. The book shared Maori wisdom in a personal and accessible manner. It feels a bit like sitting down and having a heart to heart with a friend - very relaxed, sometimes a mixed collection of thoughts, and pleasant. A lovely read.
Here's one of my favourite parts:
"Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi engari he toa takitini. My success is not mine alone, it is the success of the collective. No one gets there alone."
Here's one of my favourite parts:
"Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi engari he toa takitini. My success is not mine alone, it is the success of the collective. No one gets there alone."
January 31, 2022
a super accessible and powerful wee collection of life lessons (whakatauki) that i've been dipping in and out of for the last few weeks. highly recommend!
December 23, 2024
52 chapters in 52 weeks, very proud of myself for being consistent
April 4, 2021
31🎧🇳🇿NEW ZEALAND 🇳🇿This collection of 52 whatatauki was the perfect end to my New Zealand leg of mt #readingworldtour2021. I devoured these traditional Maori lufe lessons and drank up Hinemoa’s wisdom and divine voice. I loved the audiobook so much I bought the book version so I can continue to reflect on the ancient lessons and be more at one with the planet. Thank you for sharing your deep knowledge of your culture witj us @drhinemoa 🙏🏼#🌏📚#readingworldtour2021 #worldliterature #readingworldliterature #reading #austlit #readingwomenchallenge #readersofinstagram #readmorebooks #bookstagram #booklover #book #booknerd #bibliophile #travel #travelogue #fiction #nonfiction #nonfictionreads #travelbooks #ayearofreadingaroundtheworld #newzealand #maoriculture #whatatauki
June 27, 2021
Bite sized wisdom stemming from traditional Maori proverbs and the authors take on them, from her perspective as a younger Maori elder and a child, adolescent psychiatrist and mother.
Divided into 4 separate themed sections:
• Care, respect, kindness
• Love for our world
• Empathy and connection between people
• The pursuit of what is right, self-determination
Excellent bedside slow read and reacquaintance with the way of thinking of a wonderful culture.
Divided into 4 separate themed sections:
• Care, respect, kindness
• Love for our world
• Empathy and connection between people
• The pursuit of what is right, self-determination
Excellent bedside slow read and reacquaintance with the way of thinking of a wonderful culture.
November 9, 2020
Loved it. Very insightful
February 9, 2021
Simple and sage wisdom, nice reminders of why we're here and how to get the best out of a life. A book to read and re-read again and again.
May 14, 2021
Loved this so much - will read again
July 30, 2021
Listen.
Learn.
Take time.
Pause.
Reflect.
Learn.
Take time.
Pause.
Reflect.
November 3, 2021
mea hoki ataahua
September 22, 2023
A beautiful book that I will be able to be read over and over again throughout life. I’ve taken note of the whakataukī and whakatauākī that resonate at this time. This gives me some guidance to reflect with. Maybe one day the ones chosen now won’t resonate so much and I can read through them again and see which ones pop out to me.
April 27, 2021
Such a beautiful collection of whakataukī (Māori proverbs) that was definitely not meant to be read in 3 sittings. This book helped me reflect on my family, my relationships, my behaviour and my role in the climate emergency. I'll probably end up buying it - I think it's a coffee table staple! When I have another go reading it - which I definitely will - I'll try working through one whakataukī a week for a year and spend the time reflecting and learning.
May 15, 2021
I absolutely loved reading this book and will be buying it for many people’s gifts this year. Beautifully written, thought provoking and a great tool to centre yourself in this chaotic world we live in.
Read
June 20, 2021A friend who lives in NZ sent me this as a gift and it was my first introduction to the Maori people and philosophy of life. I learned so much about the heart of the Maori people and their love of family, heritage, and the earth.
October 23, 2020
From the start of the book I didn't know much about Maori culture but this inspired me to learn more. The wisdom in First Nations cultures is invaluable.
November 19, 2020
Enlightening and inspirational, i love this book!! I went and bought my own copy its that good!!
December 28, 2020
He iti ngā kupu, engari, he nui ngā whakaaro.
January 15, 2023
Highly recommend the audiobook read by Dr. Elder herself. Perfect reflective holiday read.
February 6, 2021
Hinemoa writes eloquently about the things that matter and gives practical strategies for how to realign ourselves with them, an especially necessary read after the year that has just passed.
February 28, 2021
Great and powerful kōrero
March 17, 2021
A beautiful book of wisdom and stories.
June 6, 2024
A beautiful book read by its author, Dr. Hinemoa Elder. It initially reminded me of Tao Te Ching, this one about life and wisdom of the Maori of New Zealand, who deeply care about family and the earth. Dr. Elder shares 52 life lessons, whatatauki, in four chapters. In these four chapters Dr Elder discusses kindness, love for our earth, empathy, and what is right, all delivered in a calming prose that’s almost hypnotic. Aroha means love, respect, empathy, compassion and I’ve come away thinking I need more aroha in my life, in all our lives.
January 31, 2022
I have fittingly slowly savoured this wonderful little book, re-reading some parts several times to fully understand their messages. I feel everyone should have a copy, it’s very calming! Lots of connections to everyday lives, values, sustainability and relationships that can be applied to your own life but also to pass on to others (eg kids at school).One of these should be read aloud and discussed every week in every classroom in the country.
January 18, 2025
Such an insightful and beautiful reflection on Māori proverbs and their relevance in today’s world. I listened to this but will defintely buy a paper copy to have on hand whenever I need a bit of guidance 💚
August 12, 2025
A really interesting book to understand the Māori culture. After living couple month in New Zealand that book was a necessity to understand more those people who respect Mother Earth and have such an amazing culture
May 17, 2023
Another slow burn for me. A book I will treasure
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews