Rongoā Māori is informed by a body of knowledge that has as its core the enhancement of Māori wellbeing. In this way, rongoā Māori differs from a Western medical paradigm, whose focus is principally the absence of health and wellbeing and treatments/interventions to return to a state of health.
Rongoā Māori traditional healing is formulated in a Māori cultural context, in which the understanding of events leading to ill health and its impacts are addressed through a range of culturally bounded responses. These responses include rakau rongoā (native flora herbal preparations), mirimiri (massage) and karakia (prayer).
The Ministry of Health works with Māori traditional healing practitioners to support rongoā Māori within the health and disability sector. For a number of years the Ministry has discussed with rongoā whānau – including traditional healers, Māori health providers and iwi – the role that traditional healing has with mainstream services.
In December 2011, a new national rongoā governance body – Te Kāhui Rongoā Trust – was established to protect, nurture and promote rongoā Māori.
For more information about Te Kāhui Rongoā Trust, visit the Rongoā Māori website.
Ministry-funded rongoā Māori providers
The Ministry currently funds 18 providers across the country to deliver rongoā services. These services include mirimiri (massage), karakia (pastoral support) and whitiwhiti kōrero (cultural support).
All Ministry funded rongoā providers are required to adhere to the rongoā standards, Tikanga ā-Rongoā. Other organisations are able to use these standards if they wish.
If you want to contact a provider in your area and enquire about their services refer to the table below:
| Provider | Address | Phone | Postal Address |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ngati Hine Health Trust Board | 2-4 Rayner St Kawakawa | 09 404 1551 | PO Box 1127 Whangarei 0140 |
| Te Hau Ora O Ngapuhi Limited | 5 Marino Place Kaikohe | 09 405 2647 | PO Box 733 Kaikohe 0440 |
| Te Whānau O Waipareira Trust | 6-8 Pioneer St Henderson |
0800 924 942 | PO Box 21081 Henderson 0650 Waitakere |
| Manurewa Marae Trust Board 2008 Incorporated | 81 Finlayson Ave Manurewa | 09 640 0825 | PO Box 88161 Clendon 2242 |
| Raukura Hauora O Tainui Trust | 47 Druces Rd Manukau, Wiri |
09 263 8040 | PO Box 97644 South Auckland Mail Centre Auckland |
| Te Korowai Hauora o Hauraki Incorporated | 210 Richmond St Thames |
07 868 0033 | PO Box 605 Thames |
| Whaioranga Trust | 531 Welcome Bay Rd Tauranga | 07 544 9981 | PO Box 9325 Greerton Tauranga 3142 |
| Poutiri Charitable Trust | Cnr Dunlop Rd & Jellicoe St (Rear of 74 Jellicoe St) Te Puke |
07 573 6413 | PO Box 148 Te Puke 3153 |
| Korowai Aroha Trust | 1292 Hinemoa St Rotorua |
07 348 8454 | 1292 Hinemoa St Rotorua |
| Te Hauora O Turanganui A Kiwa Limited |
145 Derby St Gisborne |
06 869 0457 | PO Box 41 Gisborne 4040 |
| Ahuriri District Health Charitable Trust | 88 MacDonald St Napier South Napier | 06 835 3008 | PO Box 151 Hastings 4158 |
| Tui Ora Limited | 36 Maratahu St New Plymouth | 06 759 4064 | PO Box 8119 New Plymouth 4342 |
| Ti Hauora O Te Aroha Charitable Trust | 63 Liverpool St Whanganui |
06 345 5080 | PO Box 7278 Whanganui 4541 |
| Hā O Te Ora O Wharekauri Trust | Cnr Tuku Rd and Met Lane Kokiri Centre Waitangi |
03 305 0211 or 03 305 0218 |
PO Box 44 Chatham Islands 8942 |
| Ora Tika Rongoā Māori Runanga Limited | 57 Ludlam Cres Woburn, LOWER HUTT |
04 566 7298 | 57 Ludlam Cres Woburn, LOWER HUTT |
| Te Hauora O Ngāti Rārua Ltd | 2C North Street Redwoodtown, Blenheim | 03 577 8468 | PO Box 1026 Blenheim 7240 |
| Te Roopu Tautoko Ki Te Tonga Incorporated | 6 Wolseley St Dunedin Central, Dunedin | 03 477 4670 | PO Box 1493 Dunedin 9054 |
| Ngā Kete Mātauranga Pounamu Charitable Trust | 92 Spey Street Invercargill |
03 214 5260 | PO Box 1749 Invercargill 9840 |