About Te Miringa
Rongoā Māori Facilitator
Traditional Māori Healer
Ko Maunganui Te Maunga
Ko Waipoua Te Awa
Ko Kawerua Te Moana
Ko Mahuhukiterangi, Mamari, Ngātokimatawhaorua, Kurahaupō Te Waka
Ko Te Roroa, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Korokoro, Te Rarawa, Ngāti Kuri, Ngāti Whātua o Kaipara, Ngāti Tararā Te Iwi
Nō Te Tai Tokerau Ahau
Discovery Of
Rongoā Māori
Traditional Māori Healing
In 2003, I found myself at a crossroads and seeking guidance from traditional Māori healers in Manurewa, Auckland, as my son Tyler grappled with persistent hearing issues and a series of ongoing specialist appointments.
Entering into this realm of ancient healing practices, I stepped into the unknown, uncertain of what lay ahead for my son. However, what unfolded was a profound revelation – a realisation that his challenges were deeply intertwined with my own past trauma and the journey I experienced as his mother.
My inaugural session on the healing table was nothing short of transformative. The wairua, energies I experienced, the individuals chosen to support me, and the ancestral guidance I received marked a pivotal moment not only in my personal journey but also in the lives of my children and extended whānau. Little did I know, "this was just the beginning of an extraordinary voyage of self-discovery".
Remaining within the sacred space of the waananga, I was gently steered towards the path of traditional Māori healing. Over the course of 21 years, I have been blessed to walk alongside esteemed experts and revered Tōhunga (experts) of Rongoā Māori - traditional Māori Healing including the late Papa Hohepa Delamere, the late Awhimate Tawhai, Awhitia Mihaere, and Korimako Delamere, who have guided me in my Rongoā Māori journey.
Through their wisdom and guidance, I underwent a profound awakening of dormant healing gifts that lay within me, Taonga, treasures passed down through generations from my Tūpuna, my ancestral lineage and whakapapa. These gifts, which had remained dormant or unseen for three generations, were suddenly illuminated, revealing a sacred inheritance waiting to be reclaimed.
After 15 years of devoted service to business Nationally, I have returned to my true calling – traditional Māori Healing. With gratitude in my heart and a renewed sense of purpose, I embark on this next chapter of my journey, with Te Kete mātauranga (Kete of knowledge) intact, honoring the wisdom of my Tūpuna and sharing my kete with all who want to reclaim their own health, physical well-being, and clarity.
While our hands move with eternity,
our feet are firmly entrenched in infinity
and still,
we remain in our integrity.
Na: Papa Hohepa Delamere
Taonga Tuku Iho
Treasures Handed Down
Te Riwhi Morunga-Moetara
aka Te Miringa
The Tohunga Suppression Act of 1907:
Had a significant impact on Māori healers, also known as Tōhunga, (experts) and their traditional healing practices. Enacted by the New Zealand government with the aim of suppressing and prohibiting certain aspects of Māori spiritual and healing practices. Its primary target were Tōhunga, who were seen as traditional practitioners of Māori spiritual and healing knowledge. The Tōhunga Suppression Act had profound and long-lasting effects on Māori healers and the wider Māori community. It marginalized and stigmatized traditional healing practices, disrupted the transmission of cultural knowledge, and undermined the cultural identity and autonomy of Māori communities.
The revival of traditional Māori healing practices signifies a renewed appreciation for indigenous knowledge and recognition of its value in promoting holistic well-being. It is essential to acknowledge and honor the resilience and cultural significance of Māori healers and their contributions to the well-being of their communities.
Marama Russell - (Moetara), the grandaughter of Rangatira Moetara, was a renowned traditional Māori healer in the Ngāpuhi Iwi (tribe) during the late 19th century. As a midwife and seer, she followed in the footsteps of her Tūpuna, demonstrating expertise in curing infertility, determining the gender of unborn children, and facilitating childbirth through mirimiri, manipulation, karakia (incantations), and Rongoā Māori (traditional Māori medicine).
Her healing practices focused on restoring balance and wellness, and she possessed the ability to diagnose illnesses before symptoms were described to her. Additionally, she had the skill to communicate with the spirits of the critically ill, urging them to remain in this world.
My great grandmother the great granddaughter of Rangatira Moetara (signatory of Tiriti O Waitangi), Te Riwhi Morunga (Moetara), was renamed Te Miringa by a Tōhunga, recognizing her gifts within traditional Māori healing, specializing in mirimiri.
Unfortunately, the legislation of 1907 Tohunga Suppression Act and laws imposed on Tōhunga, my great grandmother Te Miringa limited her ability to share her potential Rongoā Māori knowledge due to the impact of legislations. These restrictions hindered the transmission of Rongoā Māori Mātauranga, (knowledge) and contributed to a loss of understanding of traditional Māori healing in our whānau and community.
Some 9 decades later, the gifted name of my great-grandmother
'Te Miringa' has been reignited in the form of this taonga tuku iho - Rongoā Māori - Traditional Māori Healing.
Nāku nei ngā mihi ki ōku Nannies
Moetara | Morunga | Yakas | Hita | Milich | Kuri | Katete-Cassidy | Reynolds | Dunn | Angell
"Kia whakatomuri te haere ki mua"
Walk confidently forward into the future by looking to the past for guidance.
Te Wheke Model
Māori Health - Rose Pere
Te Miringa acknowledges Māori philosophy towards health, which is based on a wellness or holistic health model. For many Māori, there is a major deficiency in modern health services in taha wairua (spiritual dimension).
We have been fortunate to study Māori Health Modules alongside Awhitia Mihaere, Rongoā Māori.
Te Whare Tapa Whā: - Mason Durie
Te Wheke Model: Rose Pere
These modules act as principle guiding factors.
Traditional Māori Health acknowledges the link between Taha Tinana (physical health), Taha Hinengaro, (mental health), Taha Wairua, (spiritual health), the human connection with Taha Whānau, (Whanau Health) and the physical world in a way that is seamless and uncontrived.
Concept of Te Wheke (Octopus)
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Head - represents Te Whānau
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Eyes - represents Waiora
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8 Tentacles - representing a specific dimension of health
The Dimensions are interwoven and represent the close relationship of the tentacles.
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Wairuatanga - Spirituality
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Hinengaro - The Mind
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Taha Tinana - Physical Well Being
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Whanaungatanga - Extended Whānau
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Te Whānau - The Family
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Waiora - Total Well Being for the individual and family
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Mauri - Life Force In People and Objects
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Mana Ake - Unique Identity Of Individuals And Family
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Ha a koro mā, a kui mā - Breathe Of Life From Forbearers
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Whatumanawa - The Open and Healthy Expression Of Emotion