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ABOUT MANAHUA MIRIMIRI & ROMIROMI
Keri and Joe are the founders of Manahua Mirimiri & Romiromi, Traditional Māori Healing.
Joe & Keri are dedicated West Coasters who bring the sacred wisdom of traditional Māori healing practices to the West Coast community.
Rooted in the rich whakapāpā of their tīpuna, Manahua offers a holistic approach to well-being, blending Mirimiri (energetic healing), Romiromi (deep tissue bodywork), and taonga puoro (sound healing) to nurture both body and spirit.
They incorporate the sacred sounds of taonga puoro into these treatments to enhance the healing process.
Keri and Joe are deeply committed to sharing their cultural knowledge, fostering wellness, and providing authentic healing experiences that honour the land and people of Kawatiri (Westport), Māwhera (Greymouth) and Hokitika.
Through Manahua, we seek to support your healing journey by connecting to the natural world.
MEET THE TEAM
At Manahua, our team is united by a shared passion for healing, connection, and community.
Each member brings their unique skills, life experiences, and whakapapa, creating a collective that supports and uplifts those we work with.
Keri Tait and Joe Hicks, our founders, bring a wealth of knowledge in mirimiri, romiromi, and mātauranga Māori, combining traditional wisdom with a deep commitment to helping people reconnect with themselves and their whakapapa.
Jools Campbell joined Manahua in 2025 and walks alongside our Manahua clients with compassion and understanding, drawing from her own transformative healing journey to guide others on theirs.
Supporting the heartbeat of our mahi in 2025 is Sarah Van den Elzen, our Administration and Communications lead. Sarah ensures everything runs smoothly behind the scenes, from organising appointments to keeping our community informed and connected.
Her attention to detail and warm communication style make her an essential link between our practitioners and the people we serve.
Together, we are here to hold space, share knowledge, and walk alongside you on your journey of healing and reconnection.
Keri Tait
Founder | Kairomi
Keri is a decendant on her fathers side from Ngai Tuhoe no Ngāti Whakaue. She is Kōtarani (Scottish) and Airihi on her mother’s side.
Her journey into learning about mirimiri and romiromi started in Wellington from Jolie Davis in 2016. She was on a journey discovering about belonging and identity. She was driven by a desire to learn the lore of Aotearoa and a deep knowing that the traditional ways of healing were out there still.
From there Keri has been mentored by Ruatau Perez of Te Ara Teatea who teaches the mātauranga of Papa Joe
Delamare.
Keri started her practice on the West Coast in 2019 and continues her work with a focus on helping the people in our community.
Her practice helps people to reconnect with themselves, with their whakapapa, and restore a sense of balance within their wairua.
Keri holds space for individuals to come in as they are and help bring them into alignment
with themselves
Joe Hicks
Founder | Kairomi | Kaimiri
Joe decends from Rangitāne on his mother's side and is connected to Te Arawa, Ngāti Whakaue, and
Ngāti porou on his father’s side. Joe has always felt the connection to the vibrations of taonga puoro
right throughout his childhood. It wasnt until the early 2000’s when he was teaching mau rākau to youth
through Te Tohu o Tu and working alongside Ramari Stewart learning from the whales that brought out
a wealth of knowledge for taonga puoro. His journey into learning mirimiri and romiromi didnt start
until much later. He came along to wananga with Keri to cook and found himself drawn to the people,
and their stories and matauranga. Joe unknowingly learnt a wealth of knowledge From Jolie Davis and
then from Ruatau Perez. The work of mirimiri and romiromi harmonised with his love and knowledge of
taonga puoro bringing the vibrations into the whaiora and igniting neutrality with the body and within
the cells to help their own journey of healing.
Jools Campbell
Kairomi
Jools Campbell is a proud descendant of Ngāti Waewae, whose journey from receiving healing to becoming a healer herself is one of deep transformation and reconnection.
Once the one lying on the table, Jools has walked the path of healing from the inside out, guided by wairua, whakapapa, and the strength of her tīpuna.
Her lived experience gives her a unique and compassionate insight into the needs of those she now supports through traditional Māori healing practices.
With a heart grounded in service and a deep respect for the sacredness of this mahi, Jools embodies the power of returning home to oneself, and now stands as a beacon for others on their own healing journeys.
Sarah Van Den Elzen
Communications
Sarah Van den Elzen is the organisational backbone of Manahua, ensuring our mahi flows seamlessly from behind the scenes.
With a talent for clear, warm communication, she keeps our community informed and connected, whether that’s through scheduling, answering enquiries, or coordinating events.
Sarah’s approachable nature and attention to detail mean that every interaction from first contact to ongoing support is handled with care.
Her role bridges the gap between our practitioners and the people we serve, helping to create a welcoming, accessible space for all who walk through our doors.
