The Waka of Wellbeing

Growing up with his aunty, siblings, and first cousins in both Masterton and Rotorua, Tamati’s relationship with nutrition was one too many can relate to — you just had to make do.

“Well, for me, there wasn’t much at all. It was whatever I could find. Like a piece of bread or some fruit off the tree. So, if there’s food put in front of you, you eat it. You’re expected to eat it as well, it’s rude not to.”

He quietly shares that because money was scarce and there were many mouths to feed, food needed to be cheap — health-based choices were not an option. Fish ‘n’ chips and sugary drinks were the staple due to the expense of healthier options.

After experiencing the negative impact on his whānau of limited physical activity and cheaper, processed and bulk foods, and knowing the positive effect sports and healthy kai had on his own mind and body, Tamati was inspired to pursue a career in health and fitness.

For Morgan, growing up surrounded by diet culture was her introduction into health and fitness, and, in time, the catalyst for change.

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“As a teenager at school all your friends are on diets and trying to lose weight. It’s all about eating less, which can be pretty damaging, especially to women’s mental health and you’ve got all this comparison, too.”

She credits her mindset shift — going from focusing on image to focusing on performance — to the CrossFit community, trainer Strini Naidoo, and Tamati.

Tamati was a personal trainer when the two met due to a last-minute instructor change at Morgan’s first session at Flex Fitness.

They soon realised they had a shared passion for health and nutrition.

“To get your body performing well, you need to be feeling well, that’s where laser focus into your nutrition really counts,” says Morgan.

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“We focus on the ‘Te Whare Tapa Wha’ model [of health], which describes hauora as a wharenui (meeting house) of four pillars. Each aspect is important, and we believe that te taha tīnana (physical wellbeing) is a good area for us to focus on to encourage all areas of wellbeing to flourish. Especially te taha hinengaro (mental wellbeing), where we see our people struggle.”

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For both Morgan and Tamati, protein supplements were a cornerstone of their personal nutrition plans, helping build body strength and maximise nutrition intake.

However, both of them are lactose intolerant, meaning they had to opt for plant proteins rather than traditional formulas based on whey, a by-product of cheese production.

While there are plenty of plant protein powders on the market, they found that the texture and taste weren’t as appealing as whey-based proteins.

Given that a study in the 1980s in Aotearoa New Zealand found that 65 per cent of Māori, 54 per cent of Samoan and 9 per cent of Pākehā people are impacted by lactose intolerance, it was clear that there was an opportunity to explore alternative options that are accessible to Māori and Pacific communities.

While they both had fulfilling jobs, they realised they could spend more time together by building a business around this opportunity that would reflect their shared passion for health and nutrition.

“We thought let’s make one that we love, then we know it really tastes good and can share it with people!” says Morgan.

With the support of Morgan’s parents Kevin and Chris Norris, and mentor Nat Bos — entrepreneur and founder of beauty brand Max and Louie — they embarked on an 18-month process of discovery.

Initially unable to source manufacturers to collaborate on development testing in Aotearoa, they found one in Australia and got to sampling.

Landing on a combination of brown rice and faba bean (broad bean) as their perfect protein source, they packed their protein powder full of nutrients and flavour to make a formula they love.

For Tamati, this really started with whānau and a desire to see them thrive. “You just want to help whānau get more enjoyment out of life.”

When Tamati tragically lost his good mate to suicide, his fire to help those enduring mental health struggles was further stoked.

“We focus on the Te Whare Tapa Wha model [of health], which describes hauora as a wharenui (meeting house) of four pillars. Each aspect is important, and we believe that te taha tīnana (physical wellbeing) is a good area for us to focus on to encourage all areas of wellbeing to flourish. Especially te taha hinengaro (mental wellbeing), where we see our people struggle.”

It was pivotal to weave Te Ao Māori into whatever they did, to ensure Māori saw it and knew it was for them, too.

The word ARO, Tamati says, speaks about focus or direction, and also means to take heed, or to face something. The ARO brand incorporates design from Tamati’s tā moko by Cy Mcleod at Uhi Wero Tā Moko.

“It’s an old journeying waka. It represents the journey, both of our journeys, and the journey the person choosing ARO is on. The manaia represents the mana that we want to uphold — to guide people to find their direction and focus into healthier, happier versions of themselves.”

Despite the realities of today’s economy and huge demands on small business, the quietly tenacious and big-hearted couple are determined to forge on with their commitment to a thriving community.

They sponsor local CrossFit competitor Dani Ford, are planning community workout sessions, a Gumboot Day with the I Am Hope Foundation (who receives $2 from every bag of ARO purchased) and will continue sharing their nutrient-packed, lactose-free, super tasty protein with all those on the waka to wellbeing.‍

arosupplements.com

The Kōrero series is supported by the Creative Communities Scheme. Arpége Taratoa is editor of Kōrero

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Words by Aroha Rawson (Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Hauā, Scotland and Ireland)

Photography by Emma Orchard

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