Māori Traditional Medicines and Home Remedies – An Introduction
Haere Mai, Welcome! Join us to learn more about your local bush and the plants within. Discover some simple methods of plant medicine preparation and home remedies for common ailments and conditions and learn how to make teas with kawakawa, kānuka and horopito.
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Sat 31 Oct
- $188.00 incl. GST
Sessions
Session
Sat 31 Oct 10:00 - Sat 31 Oct 16:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Please note there is NO refund or transfer if you cancel less than 5 working days in advance of a class starting. Our refund policy can be read in full here.
Description
Haere Mai, Welcome! Join us to learn more about your local bush and the plants within. Discover some simple methods of plant medicine preparation and home remedies for common ailments and conditions and learn how to make teas with kawakawa, kānuka and horopito.
Expected learning outcomes
- Begin to recognise and appreciate some native plants in our bush.
- Learn some remedies for common ailments.
- Get a light introduction to Māori traditional medicines.
- Make balms, teas, poultice and tonics.
- Learn how to use leaves for poultices.
Course outline
- Brief history of Rongoā in Aotearoa;
- Embracing Pepeha;
- Ngahere Hīkoi - Kepa Bush;
- Plant identification;
- Making teas and a balm or oil;
- What is whānau health and healing;
- Mana Whenua - how do look after each our lands and water.
What to bring
Bring walking shoes (it could be muddy) and rain coat (or sunblock and hat if the weather is fine). Please note there will not be time to leave the premises for lunch so please bring something to eat for a working lunch. Bring a camera if you'd like to take photos of the plants we identify.
Who should attend?
Those interested in our native plants and their uses, those interested in bush walking and conservation in NZ, health professionals, and enthusiasts.
About your kaiako, Lisa
I'm a creative Māori woman who works across many topics, supporting healing — for people, for the land, and for our whakapapa. My work is grounded in mātauranga (knowledge) Māori. At the heart of what I do is connection — to our taiao (nature), our tīpuna (ancestors), and each other.
I hold workshops in medicine and harakeke weaving, helping people slow down, reconnect to nature, and remember who they are through their hands and senses. I also support families navigating tough systems, making sure they feel seen and heard.
Currently, I'm studying te reo Māori full-time, and recently rongoā Māori. I love being in spaces where creativity and wellbeing come together.
Te Weraiti is my mountain,
The Tainui is my canoe,
Waihou is my river,
People are my marae,
Ngāti Tangata is my tribe,
Raukawa is my people,
Chiray Xenmond Hayes Critchley is my child
Testimonials
I learnt a lot in the 2 days we had. And was really surprised on how well the remedies work. For example; on the first day I had a mild headache and one of the remedies we did was using steeped kawakawa leaves as a poultice. I had the leaves placed all over my head and left on for 20mins. After I had this done my headache was gone!
