Rongoā Explained

Maori: '''Rongoā''' (or Rongoā Māori) refers to the traditional Māori medicinal practices in New Zealand.^[1] Rongoā was one of the Māori cultural practices targeted by the Tohunga Suppression Act 1907,^[2] until lifted by the Maori Welfare Act 1962.^[3] In the later part of the 20th century there was renewed interest in Rongoā as part of a broader Māori renaissance.^{[4] [1]}

Rongoā can involve spiritual, herbal and physical components. Herbal aspects used plants such as harakeke, kawakawa, rātā, koromiko, kōwhai, kūmarahou, mānuka, tētēaweka and rimu.^{[1] [5] [6] [7]}

The practice of Rongoā is only regulated by the Therapeutics Products Bill in the case of commercial or wholesale production so that "Māori will continue using and making rongoā just as they have for generations."^[8]

Further reading

• Cram F, Smith L, Johnstone W . Mapping the themes of Maori talk about health . The New Zealand Medical Journal . 116 . 1170 . 1p following U353 . March 2003 . 12659099 .
• Mark G, Chamberlain K, Boulton A . Acknowledging the Māori cultural values and beliefs embedded in rongoā Māori healing. . International Journal of Indigenous Health . June 2017 . 12 . 1 . 75–92 . 10.18357/ijih121201716902 . free .
• Book: Ahuriri-Driscoll A, Baker V, Hepi M, Hudson M, Mika C, Tiakiwai S . The future of rongoa Maori: wellbeing and sustainability. . Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd & The Ministry of Health. . 2008 .
• O'Connor T . New Zealand's biculturalism and the development of publicly funded rongoa (traditional Maori healing) services. . Sites: A Journal of Social Anthropology and Cultural Studies . 2007 . 4 . 1 . 70–94 . 10.11157/sites-vol4iss1id28 .

Notes and References

1. Web site: Jones R . 24 September 2007 . Rongoā – medicinal use of plants. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand . teara.govt.nz.
2. General Assembly of New Zealand . AN ACT to suppress Tohungas . 24 September 1907 . 26–27 . 13 . J Tohunga Suppression .
3. Web site: General Assembly of New Zealand . Maori Welfare Act 1962 . 133 . 892–914 . 14 December 1962 .
4. News: Traditional Māori medicine Rongoā Māori making a comeback after being banned . Molyneux V . 7 May 2019 . Newshub . www.newshub.co.nz.
5. Book: Williams PM . Te Rongoa Māori Medicine . Reed . Auckland, N.Z. . 1996 . 978-0-14-301136-1 .
6. Book: Riley M, Enting B . Māori Healing And Herbal . Viking Sevenseas . Paraparaumu, N.Z. . 1994 . 978-0-85467-095-6 .
7. Book: Ofsoske-Wyber F . The Sacred Plant Medicine of Aotearoa . Vanterra House Publishing . Auckland . 2019 . 978-0-473-49699-9 .
8. Web site: Rongoā and the Therapeutic Products Act . Manatū Hauora - Ministry of Health . New Zealand Government . 14 June 2023.