Te Ao Rauropi: Mapping the biosphere of Rongoā Māori

‍Project  Lead:

Dr Amohia Boulton

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‍Research Team: 

Dr Tanya Allport

Gill Potaka-Osborne (Whakauae Research)

Dr Glenis Mark

Donna Kerridge (independent researchers) 

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Start / Finish Dates: 

1 September 2020 – 31 May 2024 

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Advisory Group:

Pā Ropata McGowan

Tohe Ashby

Aroha Mead

Dr Pauline Kingi

Cheri Van Schravendijk-Goodman

Dr Annabel Ahuriri-Driscoll

Lynda Toki

Peter Fraser

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‍Description:

This research project, exploring the deeper meaning of Rongoā Māori (traditional Māori healing), was a three-year, HRC-funded study hosted by Whakauae Research.   Building on previous work undertaken by members of the research team, the research purpose was to identify and articulate the contribution that Rongoā makes to the health and wellbeing of the Aotearoa New Zealand population and to our environments. Furthermore, we aspired to reinstate wider understandings of the nature of Rongoā and restore a Māori philosophy of wellbeing to our communities.

The project collected data from both Rongoā practitioners and their patients. The data was analysed and synthesised to create a map of the Rongoā biosphere as a graphic representation of the principles and practices of Māori healing.

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Progress:

The Te Ao Rauropi: Mapping the Biosphere of Rongoā Māori research study was formally completed at the end of May 2024. The study completion culminated with the launch of the biosphere at the ACC Conference in Rotorua on 22-23 May 2024. Presented by Dr Amohia Boulton, the biosphere was presented both as an animation and a poster. Both a downloadable version of the poster and an animated version may be found on the Te Ao Rauropi website https://www.teaorauropi.co.nz/

The biosphere was developed drawing on the kōrero of participants who that took part in the study. Those participants talked about their experiences across a range of Rongoā Māori healing practices including wairua, maramataka, raranga, tā moko, rongoā rākau, mirimiri, taonga puoro, waiata, kapa haka and toi Māori.  Participants also spoke about how tāngata and whenua were intimately interconnected and for Māori to attain health and wellbeing neither can be viewed in isolation. They went on to describe the fit between mātauranga Māori and Rongoā Māori as being about reclamation, evolution and cultural identity and values. Surrounding these concepts was a korowai of protection comprising of wairua, mauri, manaaki and utu. Their kōrero is depicted in the biosphere image below:

For the research team there were a number of highlights from this study including:

• the privilege of working with an amazing group of practitioners, healers, mātanga and community members with a passion for Rongoā Māori in all its many forms;
• hearing the wisdom and knowledge of those practicing or receiving Rongoā Māori;
• being able to bring to light Rongoā Māori practice, whakaaro and mātauranga through the Tū Mai Rongoā Māori Online Symposium;
• developing a dedicated Te Ao Rauropi website that captures all the information and knowledge collected as result of this study; and
• disseminating the findings of this research through our on online symposium and with the help of ACC, through a conference dedicated to Rongoā Māori.

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Where to from here?

The Te Ao Rauropi website is now live and contains links to the many outputs and resources the team created through this project. We ask that people use the Te Ao Rauropi model in their work, whether it be to advocate for greater visibility and support for Rongoā from the Crown, or when working with clients and patients. With the conclusion of the project we gift the model to you all knowing that everyone has a part to play in ensuring this taonga takes its rightful place in our ever-changing world.

Thanks to everyone who supported us in doing this work. For more information about the project, please visit our dedicated website: https://www.teaorauropi.co.nz‍

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