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Wharekoko Toi, Waimarama (2026)

Art as rongoā woven from lived experience. Kia ora, I’m Zena, the artist & wahine behind Dots On Rocks Aotearoa. My journey into painting began with a deeply personal and emotional experience. After my dad passed away, I attended his tangi and stepped onto a marae for the very first time. That experience was transformative—it reconnected me with my Māori roots and opened a door to my culture that had been closed for the first 30 years of my life. Through this reconnection, I found healing, and my passion for art was reignited. Dots On Rocks was officially founded when I moved to Ruatoria, but the seed for this creative journey was planted when my best friend and cousin, Leah, passed away. It was then that I discovered the power of art through a simple rock, and in managing my mental health and PTSD, I turned to painting as a source of healing. During my time in Ruatoria, this seed grew, and art became my therapy, my expression, and my way of connecting. Now, I’ve moved back to Christchurch to take my art and business into a new chapter. I have a vision to grow a community of healing through the magic of art, and I’m excited to start teaching workshops, sharing my story, and helping others find peace and mindfulness through creativity. With a new home and studio underway, I’m filled with anticipation for the exciting times ahead. Ngā mihi nui for being part of this journey! Mauri ĀIO. Mauri Ora, Mauri Aroha
Zena

16/10/2026

To the Māori wahine who feels that calling to receive her moko kauae but wonders where on earth to begin, this is for you.

Nobody handed me a roadmap when it came to receiving my moko kauae so I found my own. I share my journey not to suggest this is how it has to be done but in hope that it might inspire you to create your own, one that honours your whakapapa, your circumstances & where you are in your journey of reconnection.

For too long I believed there were boxes I needed to tick, that I needed permission, to be fluent in te reo before I could even consider receiving her. But what happens when those you would ordinarily turn to for guidance are themselves carrying the effects of generations of cultural suppression? There were moments I felt completely out of my depth, especially when I measured myself against wāhine who had grown up immersed in their culture. I cant change how I was raised or the disconnection I experienced but I could choose how I moved forward. And the aroha poured into me by this beautiful community who walked beside me became such a powerful reminder that I didn’t have to navigate it alone.

I also learnt that not everyone would understand the choices I made. When I was questioned about why I wasn’t receiving my moko kauae on a marae, it reminded me that what feels right for one wahine may not feel safe for another.

So much of my preparation was about the inner mahi, continuing to heal, learning to honour my own needs & becoming more discerning about the energy I welcomed into my world. That meant some relationships and spaces no longer aligned with where I was heading & I was willing to let them go. Because the way we care for ourselves on the journey matters just as much as the moment we arrive.

Receiving moko kauae was never the end destination, she wasn’t there to fix what was broken or fill something that was missing. She was already part of me, waiting for the moment I was ready to reveal us together.

Sis pls don’t let what you don’t yet know hold you back, trust your inner knowing bcause the most beautiful thing is when you stop waiting to become worthy & recognise you already are

13/10/2026

For so many of you who have walked alongside me on this journey of receiving my moko kauae, one of the questions I was asked most often was “Who designs her? How do you know what she will look like?” and the truth is I couldn’t answer something I hadn’t yet experienced myself.

There was no picture, no predetermined design, just a willingness to surrender to the process, trust in the gifts of my kaitā and be fully present in receiving something that carried so much more than what could ever be seen on the surface of my skin.

There is something incredibly powerful about reaching a place within yourself where you no longer feel the need to control every detail of what is unfolding. For me this journey has been as much about everything I’ve learned to release as it has been about everything I’m finally allowing myself to receive. And now, almost 2 weeks later, I am still finding my feet in this beautiful new chapter.

Every embrace, every tear, every smile from those who have seen us together continues to fill my heart with so much aroha. I have known deep pain and loss in my lifetime but I have also learned that life holds extraordinary beauty when we allow ourselves to be open to receiving it x

To everyone from all corners of the world, who has held space for me, encouraged me and celebrated this journey of me, her, us, I hope you know just how deeply I feel your aroha x There are parts of this experience that remain sacred and close to my heart, stories I’m still sitting with and understanding in my own time.

Today, this is what I felt called to share & I’m grateful to have you walking alongside me as I continue to grow into this beautiful relationship with her.

My chin is up, my chin is out & my heart has never felt more open to all that is still to come x

Mauri Aroha ✨💚

02/10/2026

My last morning here at Waimārama after what has honestly been one of the most beautiful weeks of my life. A week of embracing whānau, whakapapa, this whenua… but most importantly, embracing me and her.

Mau moko x

We are one now and I know I will never walk alone again.

I’m still trying to process it all, still landing, still letting myself be fully present in everything that has happened. There is so much I want to share and I know that will come in time.

But one of the absolute highlights happened before I even received her.

When she had been drawn onto my kauae(chin), I revealed her to everyone who had come to tautoko me. I looked around the room, taking in each face looking back at me, and what I saw was pure aroha,acceptance & pride. Their faces were absolutely beaming at me.

And in that moment, something inside me settled.

It was the biggest confirmation. As I laid back down to receive her with my heart completely full, knowing with every part of me, I was exactly where I was meant to be. I was ready.

For now, I want to stay here in my bubble. Letting all of this land before I try to put something this big into words.

But I also wanted to honour every single one of you who has supported this journey from here, who has sent messages, shared aroha, cried with me, celebrated with me and held space from afar.

So here’s a little sneak peek…

Here we are x Me and her x Finally one together x

Ngā mihi nui for all the aroha that has been pouring our way, I feel every bit of it x

27/09/2026

There’s something powerful about realising that being intentional doesn’t mean controlling how it all unfolds.

I’ve made the choices that were mine to make, protected what needed protecting, prepared what I could and poured my heart into creating an experience that feels true to me and my whānau.

Now, somewhere between here and Waimārama, I’m letting go of the rest.

A couple more sleeps x 💚💚

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