My Story
Matakite Rongoā Māori Healer
Carmel Cochrane,
Kia ora, my name is Carmel. I was born in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland, in June 1962, and I carry the lineage of a fourth-generation Matakite Rongoā Māori Healer.
My journey has been guided by both my whānau and remarkable mentors, including Kāhu Ō Rangi, Dr Rangimarie Rose Pere, and Paora Paul Andrews, each of whom deepened my connection to the wisdom of Rongoā.
Over the past three decades, I have shared this knowledge through teaching and healing. I have taught Rongoā Rākau, Mirimiri, Te Hā, Mahu Whenua, and Honohono, and led workshops in Aotearoa, the USA, and Europe. My healing practice has supported people from all walks of life and from many corners of the world.
I am also the founder of Atua Healing®, a practice I developed to help people heal from the effects of intergenerational trauma, Complex PTSD, PTSD, depression, and anxiety. My vision is for every person to experience wellness — in body, mind, wairua, and whānau — and to step into life with balance and strength.
It is my honour to walk alongside you on your healing journey.
I look forward to working with you soon.
Ngā Mihi Carmel x
Whānau
From both sides of my whānau, we were entrusted as kaitiaki of tapu wairua — the sacred spiritual knowledge of our Atua Māori. My connection is woven through Rangi, Rehua, Hine Nui te Pō, Matariki, and Tangaroa, who continue to guide my path.
I was raised within the Catholic faith, with Jesus and Mother Mary as my foundation. This grounding has always been intertwined with my deep relationship with the Atua (Māori gods and goddesses), the Anahera (angels), and my tīpuna, who remain a constant source of comfort, guidance, and strength.
My grandmother, Ngamako Rapana, passed down the Ngāpuhi traditions of Rongoā. My mother, Maureen Cochrane, practised Rongoā to heal her whānau, friends and her community. My mother was also Matakite, as was her father, Wilfred (Bill) Gillibrand, and her brother, George Gillibrand. George was a gifted artist, working in many mediums, including whakairo rākau (wood carving).
My Koro Bill held in-depth knowledge of many areas of Rongoā. I was especially in awe of his understanding of Te Kapehu Whetū, the Māori star navigation compass. His whānau, the Subritzky’s of Houhora, Northland, were renowned seafarers and boat builders. From him, I learned not only about the healing traditions of our Ngā Phui iwi but also the strength of maintaining our whānau through whakapapa and wairua.
The gifts of my tīpuna — their knowledge, faith, artistry, and vision — live on through me, shaping both my healing practice and the way I walk in the world.
Mihi
Ko Pukekaroro te maunga,
Pukekaroro is my mountain
Ko Wairoa te awa,
Wairoa is my river
Ko Māhuhu ki te rangi te waka,
Māhuhu is my canoe
Ko Oturei Marae,
Oturei is my Marae
Ko Te Uri O Hau te hapaū,
Te Uri O Hau is my hapaū
Ko Ngāphui, Ngati Whātua ō Kaipara te iwi,
Ngāphui, Ngati Whātua ō Kaipara are my tribes.
Ko Ngamako Rapana, Timoti Hotai te tīpuna, te pāpa.
Ngamako Rapana and Timoti Hotai are my ancestors.
Ko Wilfred (Bill) and Ruby Gillibrand, te tīpuna, te māma.
Bill and Ruby Gillibrand are my ancestors.
Ko Thomas Cochrane te pāpa and Maureen Cochrane te māma.