Ara: A Maori guidebook of the mind
By (Author) Dr Hinemoa Elder
Penguin Group (NZ)
Penguin Books (NZ)
2nd September 2025
New Zealand
General
Non Fiction
Mind, body, spirit: thought and practice
Hardback
240
Width 1mm, Height 1mm, Spine 1mm
1g
From the best-selling author of Aroha, Wawata, Waitohu and E Moko Dear Moko, comes a unique exploration of how to think about thinking, rooted in the wisdom of Maori culture. Dr Hinemoa Elder introduces us to a profound journey guided by Hinengaro, Maori goddess of the mind, leading us through 23 specific rua, caves, into the unfamiliar depths of Papatanuku, our earth mother, and back to the surface again. Hinengaro offers us a dedicated path to gather insights, face challenges and help us navigate the complexities of our minds. Ara- A Maori guidebook of the mind is a resource for anyone seeking some comfort and clarity amid the chaos of our life's path. Travel through this mind map navigating growth and discovery. Join Dr Hinemoa Elder's quest through these ancient rua and learn about the many gifts and lessons Hinengaro has waiting for you.
Ko Parengarenga te moana, Parengarenga is my ocean. Ko Tawhitirahi te maunga, Tawhitirahi is my mountain. Ko Awapoka te awa, Awapoka is my river. Ko Kurahaupo te waka, Kurahaupo is my ancestral canoe. Ko Potahi raua ko Te Reo Mihi oku marae, Potahi and Te Reo Mihi are my traditional meeting places. Ko Te Aupouri, ko Ngati Kur, ko Te Rarawa, ko Ngapuhi nui tonu oku iwi, My tribes are Te Aupouri, Ngati Kur, Te Rarawa and Ngapuhi. Ko Hinemoa taku ingoa, my name is Hinemoa. Dr Hinemoa Elder is of Te Aupouri, Ngati Kur, Te Rarawa, Ngai Takoto and Ngapuhi nui tonu and is the mother of two adult children. She has lived on Te Motu rai Roa, Waiheke Island for more than 25 years, and is the author of New Zealand's best-selling local non-fiction book of 2021, Aroha - Maori Wisdom for a Contented Life Lived in Harmony with Our Planet. Hinemoa is the Kaiarahi Oranga Hinengaro at Te Hiku Hauora, Muriwhenua. She also provides youth forensic court reports and neuropsychiatric assessment and treatment for tamariki mokopuna experiencing complexities in their recovery from traumatic brain injury. She is a deputy psychiatry member of the New Zealand Mental Health Review Tribunal. In 2019, Hinemoa was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit,for services to psychiatry and Maori. You can also find her on Instagram and TikTok @drhinemoa.