The power and wisdom of Māori oracle cards
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Māori oracle cards are stirring growing interest among spiritual seekers in Aotearoa and beyond. These sacred tools blend visual symbolism with ancestral guidance, offering a unique way to connect with mātauranga Māori, the deep body of Māori knowledge. But where do these cards come from, and how are they meant to be used?
If you’ve ever felt drawn to this intuitive path, this guide is for you. It will introduce you to the powerful voices behind the two main Māori oracle decks available today and the ancestral wisdom they carry.
A modern way to honour ancient wisdom
While Māori oracle cards are a contemporary creation, they are deeply rooted in traditional knowledge and spiritual practices. Māori culture did not historically use card-based divination systems. However, practices of divination did exist; including niu, a ritual involving the casting of rākau (wooden sticks) to interpret messages from the spiritual realm.
Modern Māori oracle cards offer a new vessel for that ancestral wisdom, adapted to suit a visual and intuitive medium more familiar to today’s users. These decks are modern taonga (treasures) guided by wairua (spirit), intended to support healing, reflection, and reconnection.
Māori oracle cards carrying ancestral voice
Two of the most widely recognised Māori oracle decks are:
The Māori Oracle by P.A. Minnell
Author: P.A. Minnell.
Number of cards: 58.
Appearance: Colourful illustrations with green backgrounds and traditional Māori symbols.
This deck was created as a way to reconnect with knowledge held in the three sacred kete (baskets) of wisdom: Te Kete Aronui (peace, love, practical knowledge), Te Kete Tuauri (customs, prayer, the gods), Te Kete Tuatea (war, protection, hidden knowledge).
Each card represents a tohu (sign) and can be drawn from one of these baskets to receive different layers of guidance from the Tipuna (ancestors). The tone of the deck is educational, gentle, and welcoming to both Māori and non-Māori, serving as a reconnection to heritage and spirit. Learn more about The Māori Oracle by P.A. Minnell.
About the creator P.A. Minnell: P.A. Minnell is of Māori and European descent, with whakapapa (ancestry) linked to Kāti Māmoe, Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Kahungunu, Rongomaiwahine, Waitaha and Te Rapuwai. A trained graphic designer and fine artist, Minnell created The Māori Oracle as a way to reconnect with her own ancestral knowledge and offer that reconnection to others. She describes the deck as being requested by her Tipuna (ancestor) and shaped by their guidance. Her work reflects a lifelong interest in spirituality, art, and the revival of cultural wisdom through open sharing and education.
NIU Oracle by Bronwyn Waipuka
Author: Bronwyn Waipuka‑Callander.
Number of cards: 58 (with additional cards occasionally added).
Appearance: Bold, striking artwork in red, black and white — featuring powerful atua wāhine (female deities) and symbolic forms.
The NIU Oracle draws inspiration from the ancient practice of casting sticks (niu) and transforms it into a modern visual language. Each card was created through deep personal and spiritual journeys, with guidance from the Tūpuna (ancestors). The deck embodies a decolonial and sacred feminine perspective, aiming to help users reclaim, heal, and raise their consciousness. Learn more about NIU Oracle by Bronwyn Waipuka.
About the creator Bronwyn Waipuka: Bronwyn Waipuka is a multidisciplinary Māori artist whose creative practice spans painting, illustration, storytelling, etching, poetry, and more. Her mahi (work) is grounded in whakapapa (ancestry), matakite (vision), and the divine feminine, drawing from both ancestral knowledge and personal healing. The NIU Oracle emerged from a four-year journey of spiritual transformation. Each card reflects a lived experience, channeled insight, or story reinterpreted through a decolonial and intuitive lens. Bronwyn sees her cards not just as art, but as living tools to restore balance, elevate mana wāhine (prestige of women), and support inner growth.
Using Māori oracle cards with respect
Both creators emphasise that Māori oracle cards are spiritual taonga and must be used with tikanga (cultural respect) and clear intention. Users are encouraged to:
Approach the cards with an open heart and mind.
Seek guidance with humility, not control.
Avoid treating them as casual entertainment.
Respect the ancestral energies the cards may activate.
For many Māori, the cards serve as a bridge to wairua and whakapapa (spirit and ancestry), not just a spiritual hobby. Each interaction is an opportunity to listen deeply, reflect honestly, and honour the voices of those who came before.
Spiritual clarity tools
Māori oracle cards offer a powerful invitation to listen deeply and honour the presence of those who came before. If you are seeking personal healing, spiritual clarity, or a deeper relationship with Māori culture, these taonga are tools that offer conversations with the unseen. Are you ready to sit with the wisdom of your own ancestors?
To explore more about Māori spiritual beliefs, read our next article: Curious facts about Māori spirituality. It's the perfect next step for anyone eager to understand the divine within Māori tradition.
About the author: Thaíz Lara is the creator behind New Hermits, a New Zealand-based storyteller who believes in the power of story and soul-filled travel. After living in 5 countries and exploring 60, she has come to understand that the most meaningful journeys often begin within. Learn more about Lara.
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