Tohe Ashby

Tohe has spent the past 45 years working extensively amongst Māori in the spaces of outdoor education, youth education/justice and social services, mental health and addictions, environment and conservation, and in rongoā Māori (traditional health and well-being). 
 
Tohe is a traditional knowledge holder and giver of his tribal histories including the stories of creation and living in harmony with our environment according to Maramataka (Māori calendar). In 2021 Tohe was the winner of the Northland Regional Councils Environmental Award for Kaitiakitanga, which recognised and celebrated his kaitiakitanga in action for the Kauri Dieback Project he has led.  Tohe was instrumental in developing the rongoā for the kauri dieback disease.  Tohe says he attributes this knowledge to the whakawhanaungatanga of the Kauri tree and the Tohorā whakapapa according to Māori history. 
 
Tohe says that a part of this journey has been to rename the project Kauri Ora (the well-being of the Kauri) to ensure that the commitment and response sits within a positive healing context. 
Mauriora 
Whitiora ki te tipua 
Whitiora ki te tawhito 
Whitiora ki te kāhui o ngā Atua 
Whitiora tawhiwhiatu kia Rongo 
E Rongo whakairia ki runga hei whakawaatea kia tina 
Tina, Haumi e hui e taiki e 
Join, gather, unite.