A journey of healing through karakia
Our Amorangi Chaplaincy service provides pastoral care and religious support with a te ao Māori focus to meet the cultural and spiritual needs of tūhoro (patients) and whānau at Middlemore Hospital. This powerful story demonstrates the impact of this life-changing service.
Denise, one of our Amorangi Chaplains, was called to support Wiremu*, a tāne in his mid-50s who had requested to see a Māori Chaplain. When she arrived, Wiremu was visibly emotional, facing the daunting prospect of having his left leg amputated the following day. Denise and Wiremu sat together, shared kōrero and engaged in karakia. By the time she left, he was in a much more peaceful state of mind.
True to Denise’s promise, she returned the next morning to be with him as the medical team prepared for his surgery. He remained calm and they opened the day with karakia. Every day thereafter, Denise continued to visit him and hold space for healing.
The day after his operation, she says she found him sitting up in bed, composed and reflective. He told her that he had stayed awake during the entire procedure. At the end of the surgery, he had asked the operating team to guide his hand to the stump so he could offer a karakia for healing. He then asked to see his limb and offered a karakia of gratitude for the service it had given him over his lifetime, before saying goodbye.
The surgical team was deeply moved by his spiritual strength and tikanga practice. His recovery was smooth — with no infections or complications — and he was discharged just eight days later. Denise says that it was a true privilege to walk alongside this courageous and deeply grounded man during such a significant time in his life.
Wiremu’s inspiring story demonstrates the power of cultural connection, which is one of our four pou (pillars) of change and an important part of our mahi. When whānau reconnect with their wairuatanga and whakapapa, they gain strength and mana, and begin to walk a path towards positive change.
*Name changed and stock image used to protect privacy.