Meet the founder - Julia Wikeepa

Kia Ora. Hello. I’m Julia, the Founder of Hā Habit!

I was born and raised in Aotearoa, New Zealand. My father is Māori, and our iwi are Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Maniapoto, and Te Atihaunui-Ā-Pāpārangi. My mother is Pākehā (Dutch, English, and Jewish).

I know all too well what it’s like to feel trapped by stress, anxiety, and self-destructive habits. As a teenager and young adult, I struggled with anxiety, depression, and eating disorders, hiding my pain for years. I turned to substance abuse and self-loathing, feeling stuck in patterns I couldn’t escape. For a long time, I carried shame and secrecy about my struggles. But when I became a mother, I knew I had to break the cycle—for myself and my son.

This sparked a deep commitment to personal transformation. I immersed myself in mental health, psychology, and human behavior, earning a Bachelor of Social Sciences. I studied leading experts, ancient wisdom, and cutting-edge science to understand how we can rewire the brain, regulate emotions, and break free from unhealthy habits.

Training, Qualifications & Experience

✔ Bachelor of Social Sciences (Double Major in Psychology & Human Resource Management) – Studied the science of human behavior.
✔ Sacred Breath Academy (Thailand) – Advanced training in conscious breathwork and nervous system regulation.
✔ Dr. Joe Dispenza’s Retreat (Switzerland) – Learned cutting-edge neuroscience and mind reprogramming techniques to shift emotional patterns and break old habits.
✔ Max Strom (Italy) – Studied the integration of breath, movement, and emotional processing for deeper healing.
✔ Extensive Experience in Stress & Habit Change Coaching (NZ) – Worked with individuals, businesses, and hauora organisations to implement breathwork, stress management, and behavior change techniques.

Bridging Science & Indigenous Wisdom

I believe in blending Māori wisdom with modern science to create powerful, practical tools for well-being. My work integrates the whakapapa of Hā (the breath)—understanding its power from a Māori perspective and how it can be used for healing, resilience, and transformation. As part of my journey, I studied at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, where I deepened my knowledge of te reo Māori, whakapapa, and tikanga. This experience strengthened my connection to my Māori ancestry and the beautiful values we hold—manaakitanga, whanaungatanga, and wairuatanga—which are woven into my work. My reo journey continues at Toi Ohomai, where I am further embracing te reo Māori and deepening my understanding of my culture.

I co-authored a peer-reviewed journal article with Dr. Rawiri Waretini-Karena:
📖 "Creating a Hā Habit: Utilising Māori Innovations in Breathwork to Alleviate Trauma & Build Resilience"This research explores how a Hā habit can help individuals manage trauma, PTSD, and anxiety through Māori-inspired breathwork.
🔗 Read the full article here

The Hā Tool: A Māori/NZ-Inspired Breathing Trainer

Understanding how crucial breath regulation is for stress management and emotional well-being, I created the Hā Tool—a Māori and New Zealand-inspired breathing trainer. This tool was inspired by taonga pūoro (traditional Māori instruments) that harness the power of Hā (the breath).

The Hā Tool is designed to help individuals develop mindful breathing habits, regulate stress, and enhance overall well-being. It integrates cultural significance with modern breathwork science, making it a unique and meaningful way to support health and emotional balance.

Alongside the Hā Tool, I created an e-book to guide people in using it effectively and addressing the root causes of anxiety and stress.

Hā Habit Retreats & Programmes

In addition to our breathing tools, we run retreats and programmes designed to support individuals, organisations, and businesses in reducing stress, managing anxiety, and creating lasting habit change.

✔ Tailored Programmes – We work with hauora organisations, iwi, and businesses to empower their teams through breathwork, stress management, and emotional regulation training.
✔ Hā Habit Retreats – Immersive experiences combining Māori wisdom, breathwork, and Western techniques to foster resilience and well-being.

If you're looking for transformational tools and experiences to enhance well-being, you're in the right place.

I am so grateful you chose the Hā Habit, and I look forward to supporting you on this journey.

Arohanui (much love),

Julia