Rongoaa aa Tau Waananga

Bringing two of Aotearoa’s leading Rongoaa Maori Leaders together for the first time for a unique and powerful Waananga. In Mātauranga that has not been shared in this way before, we will delve deep, to rekindle cultural connections to the land and each other. We invite you to walk this journey with us through the ancient practice and philosophy of Rongoā Māori, the oldest healing practice of Aotearoa, New Zealand. Gathering on the ancestral lands of Ngati Waewae on Arahura Marae in Hokitika on the West Coast of South Island over Labour Weekend.

Donna Kerridge (Ngāti Tahinga, Ngāti Mahuta) is a Rongoā Māori (traditional Māori healing) practitioner from Waikato, Aotearoa New Zealand who is deeply connected to our Earth and her wisdom. She is a humble advocate, healer and leader, passionate about Indigenous practices that focus on healing and restoring our people and our Whenua (land). Donna is able to walk with ease in corporate and policy circles, bridging Western approaches with Indigenous Māori approaches to enable us to bring the best of our collective gifts forward. She advises the ACC Rongoa advisory panel, lectures and educates people of all ages in Rongoā, and is a sought after leader in the industry.

Deeply anchored in Matauranga Māori and in her intuition, Donna is a powerful facilitator, helping groups discover their own wisdom, their indigeneity and learn from each other in service of our Earth and future generations.

Ruatau Perez (Ngai Tuhoe and Ngapuhi) is passionate about sharing his knowledge of Whare Wānanga, guided by his own Tūpuna to share an indigenous worldview of health and well-being for modern-day living. Ruatau spent ten years training under the renowned Rongoā practitioner Papa Hohepa Delamere. During this time, his interest in Māori philosophies grew, and he learnt and trained in mirimiri, romiromi Rongoaa wairakau/plant medicines and other Te Ao Māori approaches to healing, health, and wellbeing. As well as sharing his knowledge and teaching in his clinic and overseas he also today sits on the ACC advisory panel for Rongoaa Māori.

Using this extensive knowledge and with 25 years experience, Ruatau is the Pou Rongoaa at Te Arateatea Trust, which supports individuals and whanau to access Rongoaa Māori and traditional Māori healing practices. The trust empowers participants to embrace cultural and spiritual practices that directly enhance their mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

Not only will this wananga include plant identifications and plant use, with Donna we will delve into the wairua aspects, activating a deeper spiritual connection to this mahi with Ruatau. Connecting into the lands and the ancestors to deepen the practice of current and training Rongoaa Maori practitioners. 

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The Programme Includes:

• Tikanga and kawa of Rongoaa Maori

• Deepening connection to the Rongoaa

• Understanding takutaku for activation of properties

• Plant identification and Whakapapa of local Raakau

• Taonga Puoro

• Current climate of Rongoaa Maori

• Preservation of lands and plants

• Practical application for self and whaiora.