Rokoā/rongoā Māori might be described differently depending on who you ask.

For me, rokoā Māori is a way of understanding, doing and being that was created and refined by our tīpuna Māori/ancestors. It is holistic in nature, in that it acknowledges the many tangible and intangible aspects of hauora/wellbeing. It connects the past, present and future, as well as kā atua, humanity and te taiao/the environment.

There are a range of different practices that sit within the framework of rokoā that can be used to support someone’s wellbeing, such as mirimiri, romiromi, mahi wairua, whitiwhiti kōrero, rokoā rākau, pure, karakia, taoka pūoro and more. Kairokoā/practitioners hold space and gently support people to begin healing themselves.

Kairokoā from different places and different schools of learning may have different ways of doing things, but the ultimate kaupapa/purpose for all of us is the mauri ora/state of vitality for our people and our whenua/land.

Rokoā Māori is for anyone and everyone! It supports hauora/wellbeing on many levels, so as a modality it may assist people who are experiencing:

• Emotional pain, trauma and grief

• Mental health conditions

• Physical aches and pains

• Stress, anxiety and sleeplessness

• Feeling disconnected, unsettled, heavy, or just ‘off’

• Many other conditions/ailments

Rokoā Māori can be accessed as a complementary practice alongside other medical care/treatments.

Each session will look different for each individual depending on their needs. At the beginning of each session, we will have a consultation and check in to determine what will best support you that day.

Your session may include a mixture of kōrero/talking, mahi wairua/gentle spiritual bodywork, mirimiri/physical deep tissue bodywork, mahi kōhatu/hot stones, pure and karakia/cleansing and protection, and rokoā rākau/plant medicines. 

The length of time per session can vary, but are generally around 1-1.5 hours.

You can book a rokoā session by emailing tepunahaaora@gmail.com, or by filling out the contact form on our website.

Before a session

You don’t need to do anything special to prepare for your session - although it is best not to consume any alcohol or drugs for 24 hours beforehand. Wear something to your session that will be comfortable to lie down in.

After a session

Rebalancing your wairua, hinekaro and tinana can often create big shifts. After a session, people often feel clear and light. It’s best to take it easy for the rest of the day, and try to avoid any physically intensive activities. Make sure to drink lots of water, eat nourishing foods and avoid drinking alcohol for the following 48 hours. 

Over the following days, you might notice a range of different emotions coming up as you start to process things. It is also possible to experience physical responses to the mahi, such as a change in bowel movements, increased urination, changes to your menstrual cycle, changes to sleep patterns, aches or bruising, or cold/flu-like symptoms.

Make sure to listen to your body and be gentle with yourself! Please be sure to reach out if you have any concerns or pātai.

We are currently not working with set prices for our mahi - the cost for your session is a koha (reciprocal offering). This could be money, art, food, taoka, or anything else that you would like to offer in reciprocity for your session.

Te Puna Hā Ora sessions are based in a private clinic space in Ōtepoti/Dunedin. The address will be shared upon booking an appointment.

Any upcoming community clinics that Te Puna Hā Ora will be working at will be shared on our socials.