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<p>The critical role that Rongo&#257; M&#257;ori can play in Aotearoa&rsquo;s health and disability sector will be addressed at a symposium this month, representing a pivotal collaboration between M&#257;oridom and Crown health agencies to improve health equity.</p>

<p><em>T&#363; Mai Rongo&#257; Symposium &ndash; Calling Forth the Mana of Rongo&#257;</em> brings together the Ministry of Health, ACC, the interim M&#257;ori Health Authority, the Rongo&#257; community and Whakauae Research Services Ltd to shine a spotlight on the transformational health and wellbeing that Rongo&#257; offers to patients alongside the current health and disability sector.</p>

<p>John Whaanga, Deputy Director-General, M&#257;ori Health will be addressing the virtual event on Wednesday June 29th on behalf of the Ministry of Health. He notes that working alongside Rongo&#257; practitioners has been an important part of his role.</p>

<p>&ldquo;It is humbling to be part of a kaupapa which has at its heart the revitalisation and uplifting of te ao M&#257;ori and m&#257;tauranga M&#257;ori.</p>

<p>&ldquo;I first became involved closely with Rongo&#257; M&#257;ori during my time in the Ministry of Health in the 1990s.&nbsp;I worked with Ng&#257; Ringa Whakahaere o Te Iwi M&#257;ori and Rongo&#257; practitioners to develop the first Rongo&#257; standards. It was inspirational work,&rdquo; says Whaanga.</p>

<p>The interim M&#257;ori Health Authority will also take a lead role at the symposium with CEO Riana Manuel providing the opening speech.</p>

<p>&ldquo;I feel hugely privileged to be given the opportunity to speak on this kaupapa. I truly believe that our esoteric knowledge contained in Rongo&#257;, will provide the ara toward well-being for our people.</p>

<p>&ldquo;I look forward to partnering with all the agencies represented at the symposium to provide not only the services but the opportunity for all of our wh&#257;nau throughout Aotearoa to access the benefits of Rongo&#257;,&rdquo; says Manuel.</p>

<p>Facilitated by broadcaster Stacey Morrison, the T&#363; Mai Rongo&#257; Symposium seeks to dispel the myth that Rongo&#257; is simply about plant medicine and mirimiri and acknowledge the importance of Rongo&#257; as a holistic philosophy which integrates the physical, mental and spiritual elements of wellbeing, not just for people but for the planet as well.</p>

<p>Whakauae Research Centre Director Amohia Boulton says their most recent research project regarding Rongo&#257; M&#257;ori - <em>Te Ao Rauropi: Mapping the Biosphere of Rongo&#257; M&#257;ori</em> &ndash; will be presented at the symposium by Donna Kerridge.</p>

<p>&ldquo;The project explores the full range of benefits that Rongo&#257; M&#257;ori can bring to all New Zealanders and to the environment we live in. Rongo&#257; philosophy is based on living in harmony with nature and provides a much-needed guide to protect and preserve our whenua in times of global environmental degradation,&rdquo; says Boulton.</p>

<p>Recently awarded major funding from the Health Research Council of New Zealand (HRC) in recognition of the pioneering work they have undertaken to support health equity for M&#257;ori, Boulton says Whakauae Research is proud to contribute to improving health outcomes for wh&#257;nau.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Rongo&#257; is a taonga tuku iho, a prized and integral part of te ao M&#257;ori. We are calling forth the mana and the mauri of Rongo&#257; to resume its rightful place in the way Aotearoa cares for its people and exploring the potential of two worlds working together to forge a better future,&rdquo; she says.</p>

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<p>Sarah Cook</p>

<p>Whare PR &amp; Marketing</p>

<p>&nbsp;m:  <a href="tel:0211252745">021 125 2745</p>

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