Rongoā

The programme will then move on to identification of specific rākau (plants) utilised for healing purposes. Once students are familiar with learning to identify several species, we will explore healing properties, and how to discover the life-giving attributes of the plants for spiritual, mental/emotional and physical healing. Once a tauira (student) has developed a relationship with the plants, and they has intuited the facets of that relationship (including how the plant may enhance Hauora (health)) they are ready to understand the matauranga (knowledge, understanding) that exists within Te Ao Māori and the knowledge that comes from Te Ao Pākeha. The unique blending of these two world’s approach to plant medicine provides great scope for the utilisation of the plant medicine in a variety of settings.

Students will learn how to prepare plants to make medicines: infusions and decoctions (wai rākau); ointments (pūreke); liniment (rīpene), and other applications of the healing plants.

Dr. Phillip Cottingham, Grad Dip Herbal Medicine

Has a vision to bring people back to their connection with the Earth and its inhabitants, especially plants, animals, and stone. Phillip believes all creation is imbued with mana (spiritual power), mauri (the life force, vitality , essence) and wairua (spirit). To work with the rākau is to work with these three aspects of life and to develop a relationship with all of the natural world.

Phillip has a long history of practising and teaching herbal medicine. He brings knowledge of the native plants, skill in harvesting and preparing the plant material and a huge respect for the rongoā traditions within Te Ao Māori. His methodology for teaching rongoa is not one of attempting to impart knowledge, but rather to enable the tauira (student) to experience the plants and their relationship with them in their unique way.

Phillip will guide the journeys into Te Ao nui a Tane (the world of Tāne the forest atua (guardian spirit or deity) in a way that lightens the heart, increases the joy and peace and deepens the understanding of what life is and who we are in relationship with it. All through the wonderful interaction with nga rākau – the plants and trees.

A Light in the Forest

The Prema Trust Rongoā programme programme is a journey into the world of the healing plants that inhabit our environment. Its focus is on the utilisation of plant medicine for enhancing wellbeing and healing ailments.

Students will begin their journey by learning how to interact with the forest and its inhabitants (mainly the plants and trees (Nga Rākau), but also Nga Manu (birds), Nga Mū (insects), Nga Ika (fish), Nga Awa (streams and rivers) and other facets of forest environment.

A typical Rongoā programme Outline

Day 1 Morning - Listening to the forest

After an introduction we undertake an immersive 2 hour experience in utilising the intuitive ear to really come into an understanding with the environment

Day 1 Afternoon - interacting with the rakau

Identification and communication with selected healing plants found in the Ngahere (bush). Plant list includes: Kawakawa; Houhere; Manuka: Hangehange; Harakeke; Koromiko; Kumarahou; Tataramoa.

Day 2 Morning - harvesting Rakau for Rongoā

Gathering medicine: developing instinctive understanding in the art of rongoā harvesting

Day 2 Afternoon - Making Medicine

Preparing simple herbal preparations: infusions and decoctions (wai rākau); ointments, (pūreke); medicinal oils (rīpene)

“Whatungarongaro te tangata, toitū te whenua

Humans may be lost, but the land will always remain firm