Paula Ormsby was recognised at the 2026 Te Auaha Pito Mata Awards for her contribution to ‘Tīhei Wāhine Ora: Wāhine from Gang Whānau Healing Intergenerational Trauma,’ conducted by sole researcher Paora Moyle. It’s available to read here: https://pouhineresearch.nz/2026/07/22/tihei-wahine-ora-wahine-from-gang-whanau-healing/
Emerging from a critical gap identified during the Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry, the project was carried out in relationship with Wāhine Toa and Te Whāriki Manawāhine o Hauraki.
“’Tīhei Wahine Ora’ looks at gang wāhine healing intergenerational trauma through Pouhine, through traditional Māori practice,” said Paula. The Pouhine wānanga, a Hauraki healing approach designed for wāhine, provided support for the 20 women who shared their stories of survival, resistance, and transformation with the research.
“The research captures their pain, their stories, their traumas and how they have managed to navigate their way out of this,” shared Paula.
As Rangatira of Wāhine Toa, Paula’s longstanding relationships of trust helped connect participants with the researcher, while her leadership provided strength, guidance, and community oversight throughout the project. Shaped by relationality, the research is an uncompromising rejection of deficit framing. It embodies a reciprocal living commitment to healing as well as research.
“I read a quote once that said until the lion learns to write, the hunter will always be glorified,” Paula concluded.
Paula and Paora’s webinar in the Te Auaha Pito Mata series was titled ‘Tīhei Wāhine Ora through Pū-Rā-Ka-Ū.’ You can watch it here: https://communityresearch.org.nz/webinar/tihei-wahine-ora-through-pu-ra-ka-u-te-auaha-pito-mata-awards-series/