Rongoā rākau – an introduction to Māori herbal medicine

Join our knowledgable and engaging local rongoā practitioner, Ringi Morgan-Fifield, on a gentle walk in the ngahere. You will explore the forest together to identify plants and trees used in traditional Māori healing and wellbeing, learning about the properties of our local plants. Ringi will introduce you to the tikanga associated with harvesting, preparing and using plants for rongoā from her own experiences.

These tours are generally with small groups and offer the opportunity to ask questions. Rongoā rakau is about an intimate relationship with nature – what better place to explore this than Sanctuary Mountain Maungatuatari, an amazing conservation project?

More about your guide

Ringi remembers her mother using rongoā Māori, especially kumarahōu for chest complaints, runa/dock leaf for cuts, blue gum for inhalation during head colds and fresh branches used as a fly deterrent, koromiko for diarrhoea or constipation, mānuka for blocked nose, head colds, and chest complaints.

Health and wellbeing has always drawn her. As an Enrolled Nurse her career covered hospital care and community service from Waikato to Tokoroa to Napier. The last 20 years with Te Kohanga Reo where the health of the mokopuna was always paramaount.

Since moving back to Waikato and setting up a home at Pōhara marae she has thoroughly enjoyed getting back to nature, learning about rongoā Māori and achieving a diploma through Te Wānanga o Aotearoa. Ringi has volunteered at Maungatautari Sanctuary Mountain, weeding gardens and sharing knowledge about the trees and plants with the guiding team.

Please check in at least 10 minutes prior to your tour at Manu Tīoriori visitor centre, where a vaccine pass and face covering is required (unless medically exempt). Here you will pick up your Sanctuary Explorer Pass and visitor guide map and receive instructions as to where to meet your guide.

This is a 75 - 80 minute guided tour into Te Tūī ā Taane southern enclosure. A face covering is optional once in Te Tūī ā Taane southern enclosure.

This tour includes a complimentary Sanctuary Explorer Pass, for use during daylight hours on the day of its issue.

For enquiries please call the Sanctuary Mountain visitor centre on 07 870 5180.