In this release of the third paper in Te Pūtake - Whakauae Raro Occasional Paper Series – an online space to explore Māori aspirations, challenges and important new issues – the focus is on exploring the meaning of Rongoā Māori (traditional Māori healing).
Drawing on a current HRC-funded, Whakauae research project entitled Te Ao Rauropi: Mapping the biosphere of Rongoā Māori, the paper explores greater definitions and meanings of the practices and processes of Rongoā Māori. The aim is to improve understanding of the breadth and depth of Rongoā because there is a need to address misconceptions and misunderstandings of what it encompasses. Rongoā Māori: more than mirimiri and pani reviews the literature to better understand the general knowledge level about healing practices and to explain why Rongoā is significantly more than physical therapies or herbal remedies alone.
Whakauae's Occasional Paper Series was started in 2020 to provide a forum for original research, review, commentary and reflective essays on issues of relevance to whānau, hapū and Iwi Māori. Rongoā Māori is a part of the cultural heritage for Māori and all people of Aotearoa/New Zealand. A greater focus on learning more about Rongoā may reduce contemporary discrimination against, misunderstanding of, and lack of awareness about, the fuller practice and value of Rongoā healing.
Rongoā Māori: more than mirimiri and pani can be accessed here -
