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TE ARA MAURI ORA
Healing With Horses — 10-Week Group Programme
FREE • Koha welcomed
Thursdays • 5:30pm–7:15pm • Standfast Stables, Te Kaha
Te Ara Mauri Ora is a unique 10-week healing journey that combines te ao Māori, equine therapy, pūrākau and emotional wellbeing practices to support tamariki (10+), rangatahi and adults experiencing anxiety, stress, trauma, addiction impacts, low confidence, or disconnection.
This programme is not about riding horses — it is about healing with them.
Our horses support participants to reconnect with their wairua, emotions and sense of self through presence, calmness, and natural responsiveness.
What the Programme Offers
Each weekly session includes:
Kaupapa Māori wellbeing practices
Karakia
Pūrākau (stories with meaning)
Whanaungatanga
Te Whare Tapa Whā
Healing grounded in tikanga and whenua
Equine-assisted healing
Groundwork and connection with horses
Emotional regulation exercises
Mindfulness and breathwork
Building trust, boundaries and confidence
Learning through observation, reflection and presence
Group support & kōrero
Safe, supportive environment
Space to kōrero, share, listen and be heard
Addiction-aware, trauma-informed facilitation
No judgement, no pressure
Personal growth
Strengthened resilience
Improved self-worth
Calmer emotional responses
Stronger identity
Connection to wairua, whenua and community
Weekly Sessions
Thursdays — 5:30pm to 7:15pm
A perfect time for adults finishing mahi, rangatahi with after-school commitments, and whānau who prefer a calm evening environment.
Each group is kept small to ensure safety, support and deep connection.
Why Horses?
Horses mirror our emotions with honesty and without judgement.
They teach:
presence
trust
patience
boundaries
courage
emotional balance
Horses respond to who we are — not what we say.
Their calm, grounded nature helps participants regulate their own emotions and reconnect with their mauri.
Who Can Join?
This programme is designed for:
Tamariki 10+
Rangatahi
Adults
People experiencing anxiety, stress or depression
Those affected by trauma or addiction (personally or within whānau)
Neurodiverse individuals (autism, ADHD, sensory needs)
People seeking grounding and reconnection
Anyone who needs a safe, positive space each week
No horse experience is needed.
Cost
FREE thanks to community funding.
Koha is welcomed but never expected.
Our aim is to remove financial barriers so that support is accessible to everyone.
Healing With Horses — 10-Week Group Programme
FREE • Koha welcomed
Thursdays • 5:30pm–7:15pm • Standfast Stables, Te Kaha
Te Ara Mauri Ora is a unique 10-week healing journey that combines te ao Māori, equine therapy, pūrākau and emotional wellbeing practices to support tamariki (10+), rangatahi and adults experiencing anxiety, stress, trauma, addiction impacts, low confidence, or disconnection.
This programme is not about riding horses — it is about healing with them.
Our horses support participants to reconnect with their wairua, emotions and sense of self through presence, calmness, and natural responsiveness.
What the Programme Offers
Each weekly session includes:
Kaupapa Māori wellbeing practices
Karakia
Pūrākau (stories with meaning)
Whanaungatanga
Te Whare Tapa Whā
Healing grounded in tikanga and whenua
Equine-assisted healing
Groundwork and connection with horses
Emotional regulation exercises
Mindfulness and breathwork
Building trust, boundaries and confidence
Learning through observation, reflection and presence
Group support & kōrero
Safe, supportive environment
Space to kōrero, share, listen and be heard
Addiction-aware, trauma-informed facilitation
No judgement, no pressure
Personal growth
Strengthened resilience
Improved self-worth
Calmer emotional responses
Stronger identity
Connection to wairua, whenua and community
Weekly Sessions
Thursdays — 5:30pm to 7:15pm
A perfect time for adults finishing mahi, rangatahi with after-school commitments, and whānau who prefer a calm evening environment.
Each group is kept small to ensure safety, support and deep connection.
Why Horses?
Horses mirror our emotions with honesty and without judgement.
They teach:
presence
trust
patience
boundaries
courage
emotional balance
Horses respond to who we are — not what we say.
Their calm, grounded nature helps participants regulate their own emotions and reconnect with their mauri.
Who Can Join?
This programme is designed for:
Tamariki 10+
Rangatahi
Adults
People experiencing anxiety, stress or depression
Those affected by trauma or addiction (personally or within whānau)
Neurodiverse individuals (autism, ADHD, sensory needs)
People seeking grounding and reconnection
Anyone who needs a safe, positive space each week
No horse experience is needed.
Cost
FREE thanks to community funding.
Koha is welcomed but never expected.
Our aim is to remove financial barriers so that support is accessible to everyone.