Wellbeing in action - the discovery of Pito’enua

Moving to the Rarotonga, Cook Islands December 2022 has been exciting and a little unnerving.  I have always had a need for connection and even before I first set foot in the Cook Islands some 18 years ago, I knew this is where I wanted to be. 

I remember thinking when I stepped off the plane that very first time and the hot humidity hit me, this is home.  If I closed my eyes, I could swear that I was sitting in the warm embrace of my māmā. The seed was planted, and I never let go of the dream to be able to connect and be in the in the Cook Islands. 

The world has changed so much over the last few years, remote working and working from home was put to the test by Covid-19.  Although I like to be in the office and with my peers, remote working from across the Pacific Ocean is not the same as working from home some 25 minutes from the office.  I had opportunity and means, and I took the leap. I am a believer of throw it out to the universe and see what the universe throws back at you. 

I often hear from friends and family that I am lucky. Mostly because people see me living on a tropical island as luck. The fact is this journey was the combination of many intentional actions.  It was five years in the making with the desire of achieving one dream. I also cannot discount that it is also a privilege that I have been afforded by my ancestors. 

Sustaining five years of intentional action is not always easy no matter how amazing the destination.  In another blog post I talked about how Sir Mason Drurie’s Whare Tapa Whā helped me improve my well-being and create a strong foundation to achieve my goals. And I did. 

In the short time I have been home I have gained so much already.  One of the remarkable things that I have discovered is a well-being model made right here in the Cook Islands.  And often as knowledge is passed on, I was sitting at the table talking and having a cup of tea with family.  

20 years ago, my Uncle James Puati and his wife my Aunty, Debbie Futter-Puati, teachers, did a research project and created Pito’enua for the Cook Island education curriculum. As we were talking and having cup of tea, I mentioned basing some my work on concepts of pacific navigators.  It so happed that very day my Aunty had unexpectedly come across the very page in the curriculum that had the picture of the vaka and how it was related to the concepts of wellbeing. Coincidence?  I think not.  Thank you, universe. 

For the past few months I have been exploring this model.  Googling, reading the education curriculum and trying to understand it more thoroughly so that I can start to implement for myself.  I have had a big change and I am ready to start the next journey set some goals and go about achieving them.  But first I am going to make sure I have a strong foundation. 

An introduction to Pito’enua. 

The words of the Matiapo | Chief of the Puati tribe reminds us that we need to be connected to our cultural heritage to be able to step forward in today’s world:  

Takai koe ki te papa enua, You step on to solid land,  

‘Akamou I te pito’enua, Affix the umbilical cord,  

Au I toou rangi. And carve out your world.  

This proverb reflects the idea of being anchored to the environment and cultural connections to be able to live your life fully in the way you choose.  

The model has 5 dimensions as is represented as a vaka. 

The Vaka symbolising Kopapa – Physical well-being. 

The Kie representing Tu Manako – Mental and emotional well-being. 

The Oe representing Kopu tangata – Social well-being. 

The Ka’a binding together the parts of the vaka representing resiliency. 

The Ama represents Vaerua  - Spiritual Well-being. 

Aorangi – The environment is also included. The environment being the conditions the vaka finds it’s self in. And therefore, whatever the environment you have to be equipped to handle it and understand how it influences your journey. 

The additional dimension in this model which is not specifically referenced in the Whare Tapa Whā model is the Ka’a or the binding representing resiliency. The model speaks to resiliency being a set of skills needed to be able to withstand life’s challenges. In whare Tapa Whā, resiliency is implied when the four walls of the wharenui hold up the roof. 

What I particularly like in Pito’Enua’s reference to ka’a gives more of a contextual element when using the model for self.  Being able to specifically focus on skills needed to bind together all the elements to equip yourself offering direction to how you might seek the things you need. Literally preparing yourself for the journey. 

In this model the vaka represents a person and illustrates how the concept of Pito’enua recognises that all five dimensions of wellbeing are equally important as, interconnected, they provide strength and resiliency to individuals as well as the people they have relationships with1. The interconnectedness means that the when one is out of balance it will impact on the others.  It may mean that the journey becomes rough at times.  Giving attention to all dimensions means it is more likely you can weather the rough patches and get to your destination. 

I have worked with many clients who want to achieve success.  Some in their career, some in sport and some in their personal relationships.  What I have found is the common denominator to achieve success is that the individual being strong in who they are.  Those that understand that they are the most important ingredient to the success they want generally set off on a journey and find more than they ever thought possible. 

I connected quickly with the concepts of Pito’enua, perhaps more so because of it’s origins.  The intrinsic understanding of the importance of a vaka, the proveb of the matiapo and the authors my family just the generation before me. 

Building your own foundation can be hard. You can often be more prepared to help others than to work on yourself. One of the first questions you ask is where do I start.  There is no need to reinvent the wheel there are models out there and you will find one that will be right for you.  It is important to remember that what is right for you may not be right for someone else.  

6 Ways to build your foundation. 

1. Research – Explore as much as you can and when you find a model that fits you, get stuck in.  You can always adapt and change as you go. 
2. Dimensions – What ever model you have chosen; ensure you have reflective time to know what is going well and what is not.  Use Ētū Kaveinga to navigate yourself. 
3. Understand that all dimensions of your well-being are interconnected.  They all impact on one another. 
4. Take action as soon as possible.  Write down the things you will do, be your own best cheerleader when your complete set actions no matter how big or small. 
5. Environment – Take a look at the environments you find yourself in.  Are they serving you?  Make the necessary changes to be in environments that you can thrive in. 
6. Seek expertise – Get yourself a coach, trainer or teacher who ever has the knowledge and expertise to help you achieve what you want.