Rongoa Maori

Treatment is individualised to tribes, areas, local plant material and specific needs.

Treatment includes plant remedies from native flora, massage and prayer. Illness is treated by addressing aspects of health including spiritual, psychological, emotional, cultural, social, environment, family and physical health.

The Practice ofRongoa Maori

3. In 1999 the Ministry of Health published a

set of standards for traditional Maori

healing.

Rongoa is an important aspect of health care to many Maori people. It represents the passing on of culture and history.

Tohunga do not have a specific training programme but are recognised experts in the field by their communities. Knowledge and practice borrowed from WM may be incorporated into treatment.

4. In 2006 the Ministry of Health released a Rongoa

development plan outlining how Maori

traditional healing practices will be supported

within the health and disability sector.

5. In 2007 Lake Taupo PHO signed a

contract for services with the National

Organisation of Traditional Healers,

setting a benchmark for bridging the divide

between Maori and mainstream services.

The two organisations now work together

to promote the benefits of Rongoa Maori.

2. In 1995 regional health

authorities were able to

purchase aspects of Rongoa

Maori. The ministry of

Health was continued

to fund services.

Rongoa & Public Health System

The following steps have been made to formalise Rongoa within the public

health system in NZ:

1. In 1993 the National

Organisation of Maori

Traditional Practitioners

was established.

Rongoa Maori:

Traditional Maori Healing

History of Rongoa Maori

When European settler came to NZ, they brought with them new diseases, modifying the environment and changing the disease ecology of the country. This caused significant mortality among Maori from influenza, measles, whooping cough and dysente. The Maori population continued to decline into the early 1900s until the situation was reversed partly due to health reforms including building latrines, destroying unsanitary dwellings and establishing Maori health nurses.

Rongoa Maori is the traditional healing system of Maori. It focuses on the oral transmission of knowledge, diversity of practice and the spiritual dimension of health. It encompasses herbal remedies, physical therapies and spiritual healing.

Tohunga

Tohunga is the discipline of tradtional healing and its practitioners. In early Maori history Tohunga were seen as the earthly medium of the controlling spirits and influenced all aspects all life. Illness was viewed as a symptom of disharmony with nature. If a person was sick, the Tohunga would first determine what imbalance had occurred, before the illness could be treated

both spiritually and physically.