27/04/2026
Tēnā koutou,
I currently operate Te Whare Rongoā o Ngā Tipuna from Tūhono Hall, Te Ngākau Tapu Parish, 20 Kenepuru Drive, Porirua, as part of a wider Porirua community hub supporting whaiora who are navigating trauma, chronic pain, stress, and barriers to accessing culturally safe therapeutic environments. Many clients are already connected to our hub for kai support, pastoral care, or wellbeing services, and mirimiri provides an essential physical and emotional healing pathway within that wrap around environment.
I have been practising mirimiri for six years. My practice is grounded in kaupapa Māori, intergenerational mātauranga, and ongoing wānanga. I have also been a registered provider with the Abuse in Care Inquiry and the Survivor Experiences Service, supporting survivors of trauma in a safe, private, and culturally anchored setting.
Ngā manaakitanga,
Mathew (Matiu) Francis Walmsley
Te Whare Rongoā o Ngā Tipuna
Tūhono Hall, Te Ngākau Tapu Parish, 20 Kenepuru Drive, Porirua
• Name: Mathew (Matiu) Francis Walmsley
• Practice: Te Whare Rongoā o Ngā Tipuna – Mirimiri with Matiu
• Location: Tūhono Hall, Te Ngākau Tapu Parish, 20 Kenepuru Drive, Porirua
• Experience: 6 years mirimiri practice.
• Specialisation: Mirimiri (traditional Māori bodywork)
• Practice Model: Sole practitioner, kaupapa Māori, trauma informed
• Community Base: Porirua Community Hub
Cultural Grounding
• Whakapapa to Ngāti Korokī Kahukura
• Te Arawa, Tūhourangi, Ngāti Wāhiao, Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Tūwharetoa
• Intergenerational mātauranga + kaupapa based wānanga
• Formal mana whenua endorsement
• Tikanga upheld: manaakitanga, tapu, whanaungatanga, Practice Scope
• Mirimiri only (no reiki, massage therapy, or non Māori modalities)
• Physical interventions only
• Trauma informed, culturally safe, one on one sessions
• Clear separation between wairua kōrero and ACC reportable physical work
Porirua Community Hub Integration
• High need Māori community
• Wrap around support: kai, wellbeing, pastoral care
• Safe, private, culturally grounded healing space
• Continuity of care + accessibility for vulnerable adults
Trauma Informed Capability
• Provider for Abuse in Care Inquiry
• Provider for Survivor Experiences Service
• Strong privacy, consent, and safety systems
Evidence of Effectiveness
Endorsements from:
• Dr Mary Jane McCarthy
• Benesia Smith, MNZM
• Mana whenua
• Multiple clients
Themes:
• Reduced pain
• Improved mobility
• Lower stress
• Better sleep
• Emotional stability
• Cultural safety
