Photo: Supplied by Marlborough District Council

Ko Au te Rongoā, Ko te Rongoā Ko Au – I am the medicine and the medicine is me

Take your first steps into Te Ao Rongoā – the world of Māori medicine.

In this immersive two-hour workshop, you will explore your relationship with native plants and gain insight into the Māori worldview of Hauora (wellbeing), where physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health are interconnected.

The workshop is facilitated by local Rongoā practitioner and kaiako (teacher) Ripeka Hook (Ngāti Ruapani; Raakaipakiaka), who will guide you through kaupapa such as karakia, tikanga of harvesting and simple traditional preparations.

Discover the healing properties of native plants and how they can support wellbeing. Alongside learning about teas, poultices and plasters, you will create your own exfoliant scrub, massage oil and soap using native ingredients – all to take home.

Ripeka is passionate about Rongoā Rākau and has dedicated many years to studying, practising and sharing her knowledge of native plant medicine. Her workshops offer a practical and accessible introduction to preparing natural remedies drawn from Aotearoa’s own flora.

This workshop honours the principle of ako, where the roles of kaiako and ākonga (teacher and learner) are shared in a collective exchange of knowledge.

Workshop limited to 20 people.