Nature Heals: The Sauna Project x Te Whare TapaWhā
About a year ago, Tasha Burton got in touch about running a study using our sauna in Mount Maunganui. She had been coming for a while and knew that feeling you are left with after being in the heat of the sauna and swimming in the ocean. The challenge was figuring out how to measure it. We were onboard straight away.
Tasha and her team pulled together the funding, planning, trial runs and research framework. What has come out of it has been awesome to see and confirms what we had mostly suspected. It feels pretty special that her first formal study on sauna bathing in relation to Te Whare Tapa Whā (Sir Professor Mason Durie’s well known model of Māori health) was carried out with The Sauna Project.
The study explored the impact of a traditional wood-fired sauna combined with natural cold-water immersion. With heart disease being one of Aotearoa’s biggest health challenges and high blood pressure affecting nearly one in three people, the team wanted to understand whether something as simple and accessible as sauna and moana immersion could support health in a meaningful way.
The results backed up what we see every week. Being out in te taiao (the natural environment) matters. Participants talked about feeling more present, calm and connected. The moana (sea) was described as cleansing and sacred. The natural elements, like firewood, night sky, cold air and essential oils, all contributed to the wairua of the experience in a way that indoor or artificial setups could not match.
There were physical changes too. Several people saw meaningful drops in blood pressure, especially those already managing hypertension. People slept better, recovered faster and felt lighter and clearer after each session. Over time, participants in the pilot became more comfortable in the heat, likely thanks to the reset from the cold plunge.
The social side was huge as well. Going through the heat and cold with others built connection and a sense of shared kaupapa (process). Silent sessions helped people slow down and tune in. Many said the weekly rhythm became something they looked forward to, almost like a ritual that grounded their week. Overall, the benefits showed up across all areas of hauora (health and wellbeing), including physical, mental/emotional, spiritual and social wellbeing. For us, it also confirmed the importance of the natural elements, especially the ocean, in shaping the whole experience.
We are proud to have supported this kaupapa and grateful to Tasha and the research team for trusting us with the space. Her work continues as part of her PhD, with more studies planned, including a programme specifically for people with high blood pressure.
We will keep supporting however we can. It is exciting to see both culture and science recognising what many of us already feel. Nature heals, and community strengthens it.
The Sauna Project
The Centre for Health
If you’re concerned about your blood pressure, the impact of stress on your heart, or overall heart health, visit us at The Centre for Health. Our team offers comprehensive, easy-access heart-health assessments and personalised support to help you understand your numbers, stay informed, and take control of your wellbeing.
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