Manawanui o Te Aorangi (Big/Strong Heart of the Universe)studios’ aim is to work towards creating indigenous awareness throughout the world, by not only showcasing a collective of like minded artists’ expressions of work, through the many forms of both visual and healing arts but also by amplifying the traditions, the belief systems and inner knowlege and wisdom of our earth and its many songs through the expression of indigenous dance. The purpose of this awareness is to bring about positive change in our everyday life in relation to our family our community and our environment- thus contributing to our entire world as a whole. Through tracing our roots back via the many long journeys our ancestors travelled, we are able to truly see and feel the absolute divine purpose and centre of our being – by knowing how extremely connected, intelligent and hardworking our ancestors were, we are able to regain our sense of pride and direction for our life. “To know ones ancestry is to know oneself” and the director believes that it is due to the loss of these stories, patterns and songs; these natural sharing forums of passing on knowledge – that our indigenous nations are sufferring when it comes to issues regarding their health, education, value of life, drug/alcohol addiction and other criminal behaviours.   It is our IDENTITY we are crying out for, it is our WHENUA, it is our BELONGING. “We must know where we come from in order to know where we are going” Cathy Mato, 2010, Nukutaurua, Mahia

Manawanui o Te Aorangi hopes to endeavour on many projects at both a grass roots level here in A o t e a r o a , and also internationally within Countries such as Costa Rica, Guatemala, Belize, Mexico, Panama, Hawaii, Cook Islands, Samoa, Tahiti, Marquesas, Indonesia, Japan, Tibet, Sri Lanka, India, Peru, Canada, and Australia.
By weaving together both ancient knowledge of the past – of our ancestors of the world with the insight of the future for our new generations and babies to come – We are able to find our centre and live in the NOW, with absolute knowledge of where we come from, where we are going and where we stand today.  Not only as a people of our specific race, religion, traditions or beliefs, but as a People of the entire World. For together we are ONE VOICE – ONE PEOPLE – ONE LOVE