Let’s Talk About Ai

Our final wānanga of Season 2! This episode is all about self love - the everyday, the intentional, and the Māori ways we look after ourselves. From setting boundaries to returning to the taiao, we kōrero about what recharges us and how we protect our hauora in a world that doesn’t always make it easy. Biggest takeaway? Āta whakarongo ki a koe anō. Checking in with yourself from time to time is invaluable. AND, don't be whakamā about self pleasure! Ai ai aiiiiii xxx

'Ai pai, ai paru, ko te mea nui kia haumaru!' Ko te kaupapa o te wiki nei: Mate paipai - STIs! Our in-house mātanga, Te One, takes us through why regular testing matters, the different types of STIs, how testing is done and what treatment looks like. And, we bust common myths around sexual health! Our biggest learning, e hoa mā? Let’s normalise testing... because these days, it’s way more of a flex to get tested than not! We also hear from special guest, Whaea Leanne White-Haverkamp, who shares her whakaaro and research on te whakamāori i ngā akoranga ai, particularly within kura Aho Matua.

Not all ai is healthy. In this episode, we talk trauma bonds, toxic relationships, and why doing the werkkk (self-work that is) is the key to real connection. If it’s costing your peace, your mana, or your wairua, it’s not love e hoa mā!

Have pātai about gender and sexual orientation you've been too shy to ask? These kaupapa are complex, beautiful, and deeply personal, and this wānanga is the perfect space to explore them. Whether you've been wondering, debating, or just feeling curious, nau mai! Ai Ai Ai xxx

In this wānanga, we dive into WHAKAĀETANGA - consent. What is it, what isn’t it, and why is it so important that we talk about it? We hear from BRAVE founder Jess Tyson, who shares her personal experience of child sexual abuse, and we get honest with each other about having this vital kōrero. We explore the grey areas, reflect on the power of kōrero, and wānanga the role of consent in creating safe, respectful relationships. Whether you’re figuring it out for yourself or looking for better tools to talk to others, this kōrero is for you. Ai Ai Aiii xxx

Contraceptives: what’s out there, how they work, and which one’s right for you? From the pill to the IUD, we’re talking options and we’re not holding back. This episode is all about empowering wāhine and tāne with the knowledge they need to make the best choices for themselves. We get into the real talk about ikura, te whare tangata and the power of choice. A big mihi to Tui Maxwell from Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa for joining us! Ai Ai Ai xxx

Why has sex become such a tapu (taboo) subject in te ao Māori? Is this a result of colonisation? In this episode, we're joined by Tiana Griffin, who helps unpack this kaupapa and shares how historical and cultural factors have shaped our understanding of sex today. Together, we challenge societal norms and reimagine a healthier, more inclusive approach to sexuality. This conversation is long overdue! Ai Ai Aiii xxx