Storytelling is a transformational healing tool that all social service providers can use in their mahi to empower the teller, inspire hope in listeners, and create social change. This was the wero laid down by author, activist and storyteller Qiane Matata-Sipu to attendees at Whakamanawa 2025.
Kick-ass wāhine doing things differently
Qiane’s own journey to understand the power of kōrero began with a project to document the stories of 100 indigenous wāhine of all ages across Aotearoa. This three-year-long effort culminated in the book Nuku: Stories of 100 Indigenous Women. The wāhine featured came from diverse backgrounds and experiences, but the common thread between them, as Qiane explained, was they were “kick-ass wāhine doing things differently”.
For Qiane, the process of gathering and sharing these stories was life changing. “I started the journey looking for connection with other wāhine – to be able to learn, heal, and grieve with them. But when I was finished, I realised I had been completely transformed by the process,” she told the audience.
This realisation prompted Qiane to research the role that storytelling can play in healing and wellbeing.
Narrative as rongoā
Qiane’s research revealed the power stories have for the teller, listeners and wider community. For tellers, stories can be a vital part of the healing journey, but as Qiane cautions, this only occurs when certain conditions are met. “You need to create a truly safe space for storytelling where whānau feel empowered to share their experiences without fear of judgement, censorship or bureaucracy.”
She also found that when shared, stories can create deeper empathy for others and ourselves, and lead to greater self-reflection. They can act as pathways into conversations about difficult and complex topics and provide hope and inspiration. Importantly, they can show the resilience, strength and complexities of communities and individuals, narratives that are often missing from the mainstream media.
Te Hā o Hineahuone
Qiane developed her findings into a framework to empower others to use storytelling for healing, mobilisation and social change. Named Te Hā o Hineahuone (the breath of Hineahuone), this strengths-based approach was designed to be used by anyone interested in harnessing the power of kōrero.
At its heart, the six-step framework views individuals as changemakers who, when inspired and empowered, can create positive ripples of change out into their communities (see sidebar).
When viewed through the lens of social service providers, the framework suggests rethinking the client intake process as an opportunity to create safe spaces for storytelling. It also positions providers as playing a key role in helping clients tell their story, in their own way.
Finally, it asks providers to listen closely to clients’ stories and consider how these might challenge current practices or inspire a new way of thinking about services. This listening then needs to translate into action – which could mean redesigning services, creating new programmes or even changing the physical environment of a space.
Final wero
Qiane ended her kōrero with two challenges to those present. Firstly, she asked us to consider how we could use storytelling in our mahi for the wellbeing of our hāpori, and then she encouraged us to stand firm in our own story.
“When we know who we are and what our story is, we can become fearless. When we are fearless, we can stand in our own Mana Motuhake, mobilise communities, and do the mahi that can lead to intergenerational movements.”
Te Hā o Hineahuone – strengths-based service
Hā o te Ira Wahine: Recognise all people as the inherent experts of their own lives. See their strength, resilience and unique life experience as invaluable contributions to the process of change.
Te Hā o Kurawaka: Rethink the "intake" process. Create a truly safe space for storytelling – kōrero session or workshop where whānau feel empowered to share their experiences without fear of judgment, censorship, or bureaucracy. Help them tell their stories.
Hā a kui mā a koro mā: Foster reciprocal relationships. Build trust and rapport, allow intergenerational wisdom and unique perspective to be valued as a resource.
Hā Kina: The "listening" phase – ask "How do these stories challenge our current practices?" or "How do they inspire a new way of thinking about the services we provide?"
Hā Puta: The "out-breath" is the tangible manifestation of the internalised learning. This could look like redesigning services, creating new programs, or even changing the physical environment of your space.
Motu Hā Kē: The ultimate goal is for the positive change to ripple outwards from the individual and the organisation to the wider community.
