JOHN BOYNTON

Last updated09:52, March 17 2017

John Boynton / Stuff.co.nz

Tess Moeke Maxwell has written a meditation book and launched an app inspired by her partner Nette Scurr's breast cancer journey.

NetteScurr was in search of peace.

After being diagnosed with grade three breast cancer in 2015, Scurr wantedclarity before she underwenther mastectomy surgery.

Scurr, who lives in Waiuku with her partner Tess Moeke Maxwell, is a nurse who hasbeen part ofbreast cancer research projects and has also worked in palliative care.

JOHN BOYNTON/FAIRFAX NZ

Tess Moeke Maxwell, left, and her partner Nette Scur. Their new resources mix New Zealand's natural landscape with meditation readings and Maori mythology.

Despite fearing she had breast cancer, Scurr waited a long time before going for a mammogram.

After shewas diagnosed, Scurr started to meditate withMoeke Maxwell to help ease her anxiety.

"She found her mind calmed down by doing the simple meditations and daily affirmations," Moeke Maxwell said.

On a sunny afternoon, while drinking coffee in a central Auckland cafe and reading their meditationbook, Scurr said something that struck Moeke Maxwell.

"I looked over at her and she saidTessI'm the happiest I've ever been."

Moeke Maxwell said Scurrwanted to shareher story about how meditation helped to calm her mind and the idea to write Stars of Aroha was born.

The book was released last year, and the full version of the app launched this month.

Every meditation in Stars of Arohaisbased aroundthe New Zealand environmentand includes Maori mythology stories, meditation readings and original music.

MoekeMaxwell has a background in psychology and womenand gender studies and said she was raised with a strong sense of spirituality.

"We were big believersin wairua and the continuation of life - for me that's just a natural part of who I am as a Maori woman."

Stars of Aroha,Moeke Maxwell saidcould help a range of people - from those suffering with illness,mental health issuesor people with anxiety.

"Ordinary people who are just struggling with the everyday challenges that lifebrings - problems with relationships, problems with kids, financial stresses, stress with jobs."

She turned to kaumatua for advice on the book and said shemixed her personalviews as a Maori womanwith acontemporary sense of spirituality andmeditation discourse.

"I felt it was a taonga and I needed to nurture it.

"I'm not a tohunga, I'm not a kaumatua or anything like that but I listen to my tupuna and they guide me."

In October last year, the couple's phone started to ring off the hook when Moana Te Oriwa Papa shared her story with The Listenerabout how the book had helped her cope with meta static breast cancer.

Te Oriwa Papa died last month, and the couple never got to meet her.

"We cried - I still cry," Maxwell Moeke said.

"To write a little book and to help a beautiful woman like that."

Moeke Maxwell said she hopedthe book couldhelp others along their journey.

"We're new at this so I think we're trying to present something in a very simple way.

"Trying to help people that are unfamiliar with trying to calm their mind."

-Stuff

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Waiuku couple launch meditation book and app in quest to help others find peace - Stuff.co.nz