Kia ora, I'm Mark Allan, a certified Wim Hof Method (WHM) Instructor and Kaiwhakahaere (Director) of Te Whakaora Limited, a Te Ao Māori-led wellness enterprise based in New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand. My whakapapa connects me to Ngāti Pāmoana and Te Ātihaunui-a-Pāpārangi, grounding my practice in the values of kaitiakitanga (guardianship), manaakitanga (hospitality and care), and whakapapa (interconnected lineage).

My journey with the WHM began amid personal, and professional transitions, seeking tools to restore balance, and unlock deeper resilience in mind, body, and spirit. Drawing from ancient Māori rongoā principles, like karakia and nature-based reflection, I discovered WHM's powerful synergy with these traditions through its pillars of breathwork, cold exposure, and mindset commitment. What started as a personal exploration quickly transformed my own life, enhancing my ability to manage stress, regulate emotions, and foster vitality, all while honoring my cultural roots.

At age 35, when I was facing a $5,000 operation for tonsillitis and had been constantly getting sick, at least 5 to 6 times a year. It was then that I discovered Joe Rogan’s podcast featuring Wim Hof. Wim’s extraordinary claims, that anyone could harness these techniques, resonated deeply, especially since I had nothing to lose and everything to gain. I dedicated myself to learning and practicing his method, and remarkably, my tonsillitis cured itself, with no symptoms of any other illness since.

After 8 years of dedicated practice, including guided breathing rhythms infused with Māori breath prayers, progressive cold and hot therapies, and immersive sessions to awaken inner strength (hīnātoru), I completed the official WHM Instructor training. This certification deepened my expertise, allowing me to blend the WHM's evidence-based protocols, backed by studies on improved heart rate variability, mood elevation, and stress reduction, with third-culture holistic approaches at Te Whakaora Ltd.

As a solo practitioner since registering Te Whakaora in November 2024, I've served over 20 clients through one-off sessions, 10-week courses, and workshops, achieving 100% satisfaction and testimonials praising life-changing outcomes like reduced anxiety and empowered business launches. Today, I guide individuals, whānau, and communities in safe, trauma-informed experiences that bridge Te Ao Māori wellbeing with global modalities, promoting rangatiratanga (self-determination) and evolution of the human condition.

Kia ora, I'm Mark Allan, a certified Wim Hof Method (WHM) Instructor and Kaiwhakahaere (Director) of Te Whakaora Limited, a Te Ao Māori-led wellness enterprise based in New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand. My whakapapa connects me to Ngāti Pāmoana and Te Ātihaunui-a-Pāpārangi, grounding my practice in the values of kaitiakitanga (guardianship), manaakitanga (hospitality and care), and whakapapa (interconnected lineage).

My journey with the WHM began amid personal, and professional transitions, seeking tools to restore balance, and unlock deeper resilience in mind, body, and spirit. Drawing from ancient Māori rongoā principles, like karakia and nature-based reflection, I discovered WHM's pow...