About

traditional Māori healing /  te taiao

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Te Waka Rākau is a registered charitable organisation operating as a not-for-profit social enterprise. It was formed in 2016 to bring wāhine and their whanau together to share their stories through the traditional practice of Rongoā Māori. Their stories and healing are shared through the rongoā they create. 

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 We believe in sustainable growth, from the inception of the plants we use, to our business practice. Our project educates and supports fair trade practices to create remedies that benefit people from all walks of life.​

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In 2021, the rongoā roopu planted 600 rākau along the Ōtaki river and next year we will plant another 500. It's a rongoā space provided to us by Greater Wellington Regional Council and will be used for educational purposes as well as for harvesting.

The roopu are avid students of rongoā from around Kapiti Coast. The rongoā space provides a sense of identity and connection to community as well as health and wellbeing. There is a yearning to learn about the rich tradition of rongoā as it is an integral part of our identity.

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Rongoā Trails are currently being delivered at Chrystalls Bend Walkway and we will eventually fully utilise the rongoā space to provide outdoor workshops. The plants will also be labelled so visitors can learn about their medicinal uses on their walks.

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Our rongoā roopu work alongside Greater Wellington Regional Council by keeping the pathways clear of overhanging branches and foliage at Chrystalls Bend Walkway. We maintain sustainable practises to ensure tīkanga is upheld and use the harvest for our Rongoā Dispensary.

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Over the past 4 years, our initiatives have evolved and our rongoā community has grown. The workshops that we hold in our local community include plant identification, stream restoration, seed collecting, nursery management, rongoā māori services and more. All profits that are not used to develop the business are donated to NZ registered charitable trusts. 

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