Here in Aotearoa (NZ) Matariki is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the Māori Maramataka (calendar). The Māori New Year is a time for renewing and recharging. Each iwi (tribe) has their own traditional practice and customs for Matariki, much of which have been overlaid by the rhythms of the Gregorian calendar. The interpretations of […]
Tag: maori
Tātarāmoa (bush lawyer)
Tātarāmoa you have held a fascination for me from the very first time I heard of you. I hold fond memories of the times I have found you in many out of the way places and managed to gather some of your prickly leaves to bring home as a tonic/rongoā for my people. Your ability […]
Kawakawa my heart.
Kawakawa (Macropiper excelsior) is to Rongoā Māori what Arnica is to Homeopathy. Nearly everyone has either heard of it or used it. Easily recognised by it’s heart shaped holey leaves, and lush little-finger sized orange fruit my 3 year old mokopuna can spot it a mile off. In summer when the fruit are in season […]
Kumarahou / Kawakawa tea.
Kumarahou & Kawakawa are powerful purifiers – The combination of these two native medicine plants have a powerful synergistic effect on many systems of the body. Easy to make in a tea form; it works on the circulatory system, urinary, digestive and respiratory organs. It helps to balance blood pressure, blood cholesterol, blood sugars and […]
Rongoa Maori weekend workshop
Where to start! What a weekend. I attended the Rongoaa Maori, traditional Maori medicine workshop with Rob McGowan (Pa Ropata) and the lovely Donna Kerridge in Te Puke. Nestled in the ngahere, lush coastal forest, we were taken on a journey. Rob shared his knowledge of the land, the plants, the birds and our own […]