Donna Flavell brings a lifetime of healing experience and deep connection to the land through her 'Mahuru' Native Healing Garden — a place to be soothed, calmed, and restored. With pathways weaving through nature, Mahuru invites you to fully sense, feel, hear, smell, and see the magic of the natural world.

Donna has worked in health and healing since the early 1980s, with qualifications in Homeopathy, Energy Healing, Massage, Reflexology, Horticulture, and Landscape Design. She has spent years restoring the land energetically and visually, drawing on Rongoā Māori, Feng Shui, and Eastern philosophies.

A published author and creator of the Essences of D’Light range, Donna’s work integrates her Māori heritage, deep ancestral wisdom, and respect for the mauri (life force) in all things. Her Essences are crafted following traditional tikanga and kawa, honouring both ancient practice and modern understanding.

Over four weeks, you’ll explore the realms of plant, mineral, ocean, and colour essences. Each week, you will prepare and distill your own personal essence, learning how to honour and protect the mauri of the resources you gather.

You’ll be guided in the interconnectedness of land, sea, plants, minerals, and animals — and how each holds its own life force and spirit. This hands-on experience will deepen your relationship with nature and yourself.

• Plant Essences – at Mahuru Native Healing Garden
  
• Mineral Essences – at Mahuru Native Healing Garden
  
• Ocean Essences – with an afternoon at Te Arai Beach
  
• Colour Essences – at Mahuru Native Healing Garden
  

Sessions are spaced a week apart to allow time for personal integration and connection with your essence.

Each session follows a sacred and nourishing process, including:

• Karanga (Welcome) and Karakia (Blessing)
• Choosing a support Essence from Donna’s Rongoā range to accompany your journey
• Discussion and Learning: The where, what, when, why, and how of Essences, including tikanga of foraging
• Journaling to deepen your experience
• Guided Meditations in the garden or at the beach
• Collecting materials to create your personal essence
• Essence Creation: Crafting and distilling your own essence
• Home Practice each week to continue the process
  

Each class closes with a sharing circle and guidance for the week ahead.

New dates for 2025 are coming soon.

Register Your Interest

Browse our courses and book your spot here.

Participants will receive a Certificate of Completion after finishing the course.

This can be used for professional development and ongoing education requirements.

The course is held at the beautiful Mahuru Native Healing Garden:

94 Raymond Bull Road, Mangawhai, Northland.