ABSTRACT
This hypotheses article presents understandings and practices of tohu (signs) in the personal, eco-environmental, and spiritual wellbeing of Maori. Tohu can be observed in the natural, social, physical, or spiritual environment, and within a Maori worldview provide important ways of understanding and responding to phenomena. Wananga (shared dialogue and debate) were held with seven Maori clinical psychologists from He Paiaka Totara (Maori Psychologist Network) and two matauranga Maori specialists to explore their experiences, knowledge, and perspectives about tohu, with their insights collected through online information sharing. Our wananga goals were to inform the creation of a therapeutic framework to address patu ngakau, psychological and spiritual trauma experienced by Maori. The results identified that tohu are located within the person and their environment, and the importance of exploring how tohu are interpreted. We propose a TOHU acronym as a framework for understanding and addressing the multifaceted impacts of patu ngakau.
