Te Miri Rangi

Contributing writer

Te Miri Rangi (Tūwharetoa, Te Arawa) is a health promoter and the founder of Whakapapa Fridays, a blog dedicated to sharing Māori perspectives on health and wellbeing.

During James Cook’s first expedition to New Zealand (1769–70), artist Sydney Parkinson recorded the variety of hairstyles and head adornments shown in this composite portrait. These six men have their hair tied or rolled in various styles, five have it secured with heru (carved combs) and five have added white feathers – usually three but in one case five.

Summer reissue: What does your hair say about you?

Most of my life growing up I was the clean cut Māori boy with the short and tidy haircut, but all of that changed nearly three years ago, writes Te Miri Rangi.

By Te Miri Rangi | 2nd January, 2018

Contributing writer

Image: Tama-nui-te-rā mural in Timaru by unknoWN.

Tamanuiterā: The sun and his two wives

The longest day is here and Tamanuiterā, the sun, must start his long journey back to winter.

By Te Miri Rangi | 22nd December, 2017

Contributing writer

During James Cook’s first expedition to New Zealand (1769–70), artist Sydney Parkinson recorded the variety of hairstyles and head adornments shown in this composite portrait. These six men have their hair tied or rolled in various styles, five have it secured with heru (carved combs) and five have added white feathers – usually three but in one case five.

What hairstyles meant to our Māori ancestors

Most of my life growing up I was the clean cut Māori boy with the short and tidy haircut, but all of that changed nearly three years ago, writes Te Miri Rangi.

By Te Miri Rangi | 21st November, 2017

Contributing writer

Wetini Mitai from New Zealand and his daughter Niwareka make a Maori grimace at the 64th Frankfurt Book Fair October 9, 2012. This year’s edition of the largest book fair in the world takes place from October 10 – 14, and features New Zealand as guest of honour. AFP PHOTO / JOHANNES EISELE (Photo credit … Read more

Gods, whānau, body parts – making sense of health with whakapapa

Whakapapa is about relationships, not just relations, and can help us understand our all-round wellbeing, explains columnist Te Miri Rangi.

By Te Miri Rangi | 6th November, 2017

Contributing writer

The wairua goes out for a wander: why sleep matters, and how to improve yours

The wairua goes out for a wander: why sleep matters, and how to improve yours

Health campaigner Te Miri Rangi looks at what we can learn from our ancestors about the ancient art of a good night's rest.

By Te Miri Rangi | 20th October, 2017

Contributing writer

The story of the kūmara – a superfood shaped by Māori

The story of the kūmara – a superfood shaped by Māori

Health expert Te Miri Rangi looks at ways to revive indigenous Māori knowledge to optimise health and wellbeing.

By Te Miri Rangi | 6th October, 2017

Contributing writer