A deep dive into the things that affect us as parents, by Pio Terei.
Actor, singer, comedian, and storyteller Pio Terei joins The Village NZ for a transformative community kōrero: Mana Up - a deep dive into the real-life challenges that shape us and the real tools that can help us rise.
With his trademark warmth, humour, and humility, Pio guides us through the kaupapa that impact so many of our whānau:
Trauma
Relationships
Whānau dynamics
Grief
Anger
Alcohol & addiction
This is not a lecture. This is lived experience, shared with honesty and heart. Pio has a unique ability to speak with people, not at them. Creating a space where laughter and vulnerability sit side by side. His kōrero is grounded in te ao Māori, backed by simple, evidence-based tools, and designed for communities who are often the hardest to reach.
You’ll hear about concepts like Red Brain vs Green Brain, how trauma shapes behaviour, how to pause before reacting, and how to reconnect with the things that give us strength. These are tools people remember, take away, and use the very next day.
Why This Matters
Mana Up has been described as “an aha moment” for many who attend. One organiser reflected:
“An amazing workshop that was real, relevant, and so appropriate. Realising the whakapapa of trauma and being able to recognise behaviours as the result of such trauma really was an aha moment for a good percentage of the room.”
Another shared:
“The room spoke at length after you left, wanting more and asking for strategies to work on the trauma rather than just the behaviour. The feedback was exceptional -probably the best in my three years on the Executive Team.”
And perhaps the most powerful reflection of all:
“To have this delivered with such passion… I feel like there is hope for our ākonga, whānau, hapū, and iwi.”
These talks have sparked healing, shifted perspectives, and helped whānau feel seen, valued, and hopeful again. They are for everyone - parents, educators, community workers, youth, those impacted by trauma, those seeking reconnection, and anyone wanting to understand themselves and others better.
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