Dr Ngāhuia Murphy is from Te Urewera in Aotearoa. Through her father she descends from Ngāti Manawa, Ngāti Ruapani ki Waikaremoana, Ngāi Tuhoe, and Ngāti Kahungunu. Through her mother she connects with the ritual feminine traditions of Ireland. As a scholar the author describes her writings as an altar of communion with the atua wāhine and a love note to the tīpuna and uri. The author’s work is guided by the principles of tino rangatiratanga, decolonisation, reconnection and the restoration of balance.