Rongoā

Te Aka Whai Ora is focussing on the future sustainability of rongoā, to enable and support it to thrive and contribute fully to improving health outcomes in Aotearoa New Zealand.  

Rongoā Māori, a holistic approach to oranga and wellbeing, is a traditional healing practice grounded in te ao Māori.

Te Aka Whai Ora recognises that rongoā is a taonga Māori. For centuries, whānau, hapū and iwi have cultivated, cared for, and used rongoā. The knowledge and the practice of rongoā have been passed down through the generations within whānau, hapū and iwi, with Māori tino rangatiratanga over rongoā protected under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Our rongoā Māori work programme

Te Aka Whai Ora is launching into mahi that empowers Māori to determine the protection and support needed for rongoā to flourish. We will be led and guided by Māori first and foremost, with a focus on:

• Māori priorities and aspirations for preserving, protecting, and supporting rongoā Māori
• Ensuring the voices of Māori inform advice to government on rongoā
• Navigating the broad system settings and mechanisms required to deliver on those priorities for rongoā
• Identifying the funding paths and other resources needed to invest in rongoā to support hauora Māori. 

Your whakaaro is important to us. If you would like to kōrero with us about this mahi, please email us at rongoa@health.govt.nz.