Wāhine Atua

Today, we're talking about something that affects communities throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. Something that happens in our cities, in our rural towns, in our neighbourhoods, and sometimes behind doors that, from the outside, appear to be perfectly ordinary homes.
We're talking about family violence.
And more specifically, we're talking about White Ribbon Day, observed internationally every year on the 25th of November.
It's a day that asks us to think about the way we treat one another, the relationships we create, and the responsibility we all have to ensure that women and children can live without fear.

This week on Wāhine Atua, Marcia and Tracey recognise World Stroke Day and share an important conversation about recognising the signs of a stroke and understanding the risks.
❤️ Tracey shares the deeply personal story of her dad, who suffered a major stroke in his early 50s, and the lasting impact it had on their whānau.
The ladies discuss the risk factors, the importance of looking after our health, and the potentially lifesaving FAST rule:
🧠 F – Face: Is one side drooping?
💪 A – Arm: Is one arm weak?
🗣️ S – Speech: Is speech slurred?
⏰ T – Time: Call 111 immediately!
Because recognising the signs and acting quickly can save a life. 💜

Just because you can't see it, doesn't mean it isn't there.
This week on Wāhine Atua, Tracey, Marcia, Fi and Krystal turn their attention to Hidden Disabilities Awareness Month and a conversation that might just change the way you look at disability.
We often associate disability with something we can physically see — but the reality is that many people live with conditions, challenges and disabilities that aren't immediately obvious to others.
💜 From chronic pain and neurological conditions to hearing loss, mental health challenges, neurodivergence and invisible illnesses, the ladies share their own experiences and those of their friends and whānau.
💬 Why do we sometimes judge someone's abilities by how they look?
💬 Why do people with hidden disabilities so often feel they have to explain or justify their challenges?
💬 And why is it time we changed our perception of what living with a disability actually means?
It's an open, honest and sometimes very personal conversation about understanding, empathy, inclusion and looking beyond what we can see.
Because disability doesn't have one look, one story or one experience — and everyone deserves to feel understood, respected and included. 💜
☕ So grab a cuppa and join our fabulous Taranaki wāhine for some real kōrero, shared experiences and a few laughs along the way.

Taranaki a bit of a shake the other morning! But it also got our wāhine thinking... just how prepared are we if the big one hits?
This week on Wāhine Atua, Tracey, Marcia, Fi and Krystal get together for some lively kōrero about the recent earthquake and whether they're really as prepared as they think they are!
🚨 Have we actually got emergency supplies ready, or have we just been meaning to get around to it?
💧 How much water and food should we have stored?
🐾 What about our pets, our elderly parents and our whānau?
📱 And if the power and phones go down, do we have a plan?
From emergency grab bags to the reality of looking after ourselves and others when disaster strikes, the ladies ask some important questions — with their usual mix of humour, honesty and a few confessions along the way!
Because sometimes it takes a little shake to remind us that being prepared isn't something we should keep putting off!

This week on Wāhine Atua, the ladies are tackling something that seems to creep up earlier every year — the commercial side of Halloween and Christmas!
Is there a place for all the hype, decorations, costumes, gift buying and festive fun? Or have we reached the point where retailers are rushing us from one celebration to the next before we’ve even had time to enjoy them?
🎃 When should Halloween merchandise actually hit the shelves?
🎄 Is September WAY too early for Christmas decorations?
🎁 Has Christmas become too commercial?
🛍️ And are we guilty of buying into it... even while complaining about it?
Plus, what happened to the anticipation of waiting for the Christmas season to actually arrive?