Waka Oranga

Toni, Toi, and Wiremu. Photo: Jeremy Younger

This Matariki time we pause to remember and farewell Toni Shepherd, signified by the Pōhutakawa whetu from the Matariki constellation. Toni was a Ngāi Tahu wāhine, a mama, a life partner, an advocate, a warrior for her people, and an Indigenous psychotherapist. She was a founding member of Waka Oranga and, with a special rōpu of people, became one of the first people to enter the world of psychotherapy in Aotearoa through the He Ara Māori pathway. This was not the only way she led in her chosen field of work.

Wiremu and Toni welcomed triplet girls into the world 23-years ago and continued to raise their precious whānau in line with ancestral wisdom from te ao Māori. Toni continued to feel passion for ensuring Māori whānau were able to receive medical care in Aotearoa in a way that aligned with their cultural and spiritual practices and beliefs. She brought this passion to her work at Starship Hospital, advocating and making important changes happen for whānau.

As repeatedly mentioned at her tangi, her most important role by far was as Mama to her four girls and as partner to Wiremu. She is a greatly loved and esteemed member of our psychotherapy community and a Ngāi Tahu wāhine of esteemed mana.

We farewell her with aroha.

E tū pōuhutukawa te kaikawe i ngā mate o te tau.

Haere rā koutou ki te uma o Ranginui Hei whetū i te kete nui a Tāne Koia rā!

Kua whetūrangitia koutou kei aku rau kahu rangi!