✨ Mani - Sparkle Bomb ✨

Sparkle Bomb is one of Home Ground's most special kaupapa, created in honour of our beloved co-founder Anita, our forever Sparkle Bomb Queen, and made possible by the generous support of the Patil family.

Designed for wāhine impacted by the justice system or navigating big life challenges, Sparkle Bomb brings us together through creative workshops, community connection, and the kind of magic that happens when people feel truly seen.

This year's five weeks were full of crowns, tears, laughter, purākau, taonga puoro and more sparkle than we knew what to do with. We were joined by three extraordinary artists - Maungarongo Te Kawa, Te Kahureremoa, and Māni, alongside the legendary Robyn Kahukiwa, whose mahi will forever be so powerful for all of us.

This is our reflection on what we made, what we felt, and what we're carrying forward.

For Anita. Always. 💖

Day six of Sparkle Bomb with te rongoā baddie herself – Māni. Manz brought a fast flowing, high energy day full of laughter, learning and making.

We began with relatable funny stories about how Māni first found her way into the world of rongoā through lust and love! From there, we got to know some incredible rākau that Manz brought in, learning about their many superpowers, especially for wāhine. Kohekohe, kawakawa, mānuka, houhere and others, each with their own stories.

Some wāhine connected through kōrero and laughter. Some sat sketching and drawing the plants. Others flicked through the books Māni had brought along. 

Home Ground artist working with the magic of incredible rākau that Manz brought in, learning about their many superpowers, especially for wāhine.

Then we got busy and together we made:

• A wairākau /tea with kohekohe.

• A kawakawa and kohekohe tincture.

• A kawakawa and mānuka balm.

• A houhere gel thingie.

• AND Homemade tea bags filled with kohekohe, mānuka, and green tea.

  
  

The amount we created in just a few hours was incredible!

One of the biggest reflections from the day was just how accessible rongoā can be. We spoke about how rongoā can feel like knowledge that sits somewhere out of reach, but Māni showed us that with some guidance, access to rākau, and a keenness to learn, we can begin creating our own medicines and reconnecting with knowledge that has always been here.

Some of the kupu and reflections shared throughout the day that will stay with us were:

"Connection with my mama."

"A new door to open and a tree to grow."

"Knowledge for my minge!"

"Confirmation that I'm entitled to learn."

Many of us carry the feeling that we need permission before stepping into spaces of knowledge, tikanga, mātauranga, or healing. Day six reminded us that we are entitled to learn. Entitled to reconnect with our own relationships to the whenua, the plants, and ourselves.

Huge mihi to Māni for sharing her knowledge, humour, generosity, and passion with us.

#mingepower