Ehoa is more than just an app—it is a kaupapa-driven innovation that brings together mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge systems) and modern technology to support holistic wellbeing. Built by Abletech using React Native for both Android and iOS, Ehoa is the first digital application of its kind to align personal tracking—of energy, emotions, and menstrual cycles—with maramataka, the Māori lunar calendar. But behind this seamless technology lies a deeper wānanga—one of cultural integrity, whakapapa to traditional knowledge, and a commitment to supporting individual and collective wellbeing.

Honouring the Kaupapa: Research, Innovation, and Whakapapa

The development of Ehoa was sparked by the need to reclaim and revitalise the relationship between Māori wellbeing and natural cycles. Traditional research methods in this area often present challenges, as they compartmentalise knowledge and approach mātauranga Māori through a Western scientific lens. Instead of following conventional research frameworks, the team behind Ehoa, Michele Wilson and Samanth Veitch, embraced a kaupapa Māori approach, ensuring that the whakapapa (lineage) of knowledge remained intact and that the app could serve as both a taonga (treasure) for users and a vehicle for research that centres Māori ways of knowing and being.

Ehoa: A Research-Driven Taonga

Ehoa was developed with dedicated research funding, ensuring that the app serves a dual purpose:

• Empowering users with an interactive, culturally meaningful tool grounded in maramataka and indigenous wellbeing practices.
• Contributing to a growing body of knowledge that validates the role of mātauranga Māori in enhancing modern wellbeing.

By engaging directly with users, Ehoa gathers whaiwhakaaro (insights) into how energy, emotions, and menstrual cycles align with the maramataka phases. This whakapapa of data is not just about numbers—it tells a story of reconnection, of people realigning with ancestral rhythms, and of the potential for traditional wisdom to inform contemporary wellbeing practices.

Whakapono, Whakamana: Building Trust Through Cultural Integrity

Creating an app that honours maramataka and upholds mana Māori required a deliberate and tikanga-led design approach. Every aspect of Ehoa was crafted with aroha, manaakitanga (care and hospitality), and respect for mātauranga Māori, ensuring that the app was not just a digital tool but a taonga tuku iho (a legacy for future generations). The app’s ability to personalise wellness insights based on maramataka reflects a Māori worldview, one where the individual is deeply connected to the environment, to atua (spiritual influences), and to tūpuna (ancestors). This holistic approach is what makes Ehoa distinct—it does not just track, it nurtures, informs, and reconnects people to a rhythm that has guided Māori for generations. By embedding this cultural framework into technology, Ehoa becomes a living example of how innovation can support tino rangatiratanga (self-determination), ensuring that Māori knowledge remains in Māori hands and serves Māori aspirations.

Technology as a Catalyst for Hauora (Wellbeing)

At its core, Ehoa is a tool for hauora—the pursuit of balance, alignment, and vitality. The app is not just about tracking; it is about reclaiming and reaffirming the wisdom of tūpuna, helping individuals make informed, mana-enhancing decisions in their daily lives. The insights gathered through Ehoa contribute to an ongoing kōrero between technology, culture, and science, where data not only serves research but also uplifts whānau, hapū, and iwi in reconnecting with their own ancestral knowledge.

Reflecting on Our Journey

Abletech is privileged to have played a role in the creation of Ehoa, bringing together technology and mātauranga Māori to develop a taonga that serves both individuals and communities. This journey has shown us that true innovation is not about replacing the past with the future—it is about weaving them together in ways that honour whakapapa, elevate mātauranga, and create opportunities for learning, reflection, and healing. Ehoa stands as a testament to what is possible when technology is guided by kaupapa Māori, developed in partnership with the communities it serves, and used as a tool for reconnection rather than mere consumption. We look forward to seeing how Ehoa continues to support, uplift, and inspire individuals on their journey towards enhancing their hauora.