Tena koutou katoa -I feel very grateful to have spent last weekend with Pa Ropata and Donna learning about our Rongoa. This is a summary-blog-about what I learnt and what was shared. Nga mihi nui ..He taonga tuku iho…

RONGOA Maori

–Traditional Maori medicine I had the great privilege to spend a weekend on one of Pa Ropata’s Rongoa Waananga in an area called Whare Tangata , Ngamanawa, Bay of Plenty.

Our group of twenty four climbed through pristine bush on Maori land especially preserved for the perpetuation of Rongoa.

Before white man came to Aotearoa(NZ) the ngahere (bush) was our main food source ,our medicine and our source of wellbeing. Maori have always maintained kaitiakitanga (guardianship)of our native flora and fauna knowing that the forest of Tane is our tuakana . The trees preceded us – the human race . This Rongoa matauranga was passed down by our ancestors so as custodians we endeavor to protect and perpetuate this taonga for our wellbeing and pass on to future generations so they in turn will benefit from Rongoa Maori for their wellbeing.

The ngahere becomes our teacher. When we go there we find stillness and presence . Our senses open and our mauri is nourished by the mauri of the whenua, trees, plants and birds. The roots , barks, leaves, flowers and berries of our native trees are our Rongoa.

Traditional healers in every generation go to the ngahere for their own wellbeing and for collection of medicine supplies to perpetuate their spiritual and cultural knowledge to play a key role in their communities. They understand,respect and care for the habitat and life cycles of the native flora and fauna.

With commercialization, rodent and possum infestations and unsustainable practices our ngahere of Aotearoa is in great danger. Only 23% of native bush remains covering our land mass compared to an original 80%.

As tangata whenua, the indigenous Maori people of New Zealand and all people who now live here we have to respect, nurture and love our whenua and all the progeny of Papatuanuku(Earth Mother). We need to ensure our government, communities and decision makers are actioning and resourcing and prioritising environmental sustainability for our health and wellbeing and perpetuation of Rongoa Maori for future generations.

Nau e IO ee

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