Grandmother Hato

GRANDMOTHER HATO – MĀORI HEALER & WISDOM KEEPER  GRANDMOTHER HATO -  CHILD OF THE MIST (TŪHOE)  GRANDMOTHER HATO – MĀORI ELDER & TEACHER

Maungapōhatu is our Mountain,

Tauranga is our River,

Tanatana is our Marae,

Te Urewera is our Ancestral home,

Ngāti Rere and Tamakaimoana are our sub-tribes,

Tūhoe is our Tribe,

Aotearoa is our Motherland.

I am Hato-Lee Siaki, one of Ngā Tamariki o Te Kohu — “The Children of the Mist.”

The youngest daughter of Pomare Heemi and Rarauhe Rakuraku, and sister to Grandmother Taiha-Moetu, I was born in Gisborne and raised in Te Karaka among the people of the Aitangi a Mahaki tribe, alongside my four brothers and two sisters. From birth, I was immersed in the daily practices of Tūhoe spirituality — karakia (prayers), rituals, and deep acknowledgment of our Atua (Gods) and Tipuna (Ancestors). This immersion shaped my path as a cultural knowledge keeper, healer, and guide.

Over the years, I have traveled widely across the Pacific Islands, gathering and sharing cultural knowledge with my Pacifica people. These journeys enriched my understanding of Mātauranga Māori — cultural knowledge — and deepened my role as a keeper of ancestral wisdom.

As a teacher and cultural advisor within my Kōhanga (Nest), I shared the teachings lovingly passed down by my parents, instilling Māori language, etiquette, values, and beliefs in my children. Today, I serve as a Spiritual Counselor and Trainer for a holistic Māori social services organization, specializing in Indigenous family and tribal work. My mahi has carried me across Aotearoa and the world, uplifting others through teaching, guidance, and healing.

I often travel alongside my sister, Grandmother Taiha-Moetu. Together, we bring forward the wisdom of our ancestors, empowering women, families, and communities through healing workshops, cultural teachings, and spiritual guidance. We continue to honor our ancestors by carrying the sacred responsibility of the Old Ways and passing them to future generations.