May 28, 2014
Use of rongoa encouraged
A member of the group that has developed new standards for traditional Maori healers says he’s encouraging more Maori to use rongoa for both spiritual and financial reasons.
Percy Tipene from Te Kahui Rongoa Trust says the new standards provide guidelines for practitioners while allowing iwi to protect their secrets.
He says rongoa provides a holistic healing process that makes it valuable not just in health but also in environments like prisons, where there are spiritual illnesses to be cured.
Maori tertiary institution Te Wananga o Aotearoa is also increasing understanding by offering courses on rongoa.
Now this is wonderful to hear people talk about rongoa. Why because in the north the cost of any health impediment going to the doctor and getting medicine its going to cost for us up here. So we need to look at the alternatives option that we have up here so its about educating ourselves" he says.
Percy Tipene says rongoa is a kai, so any food that is eaten should be healthy.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH PERCY TIPENE CLICK ON THE LINK
https://secure.zeald.com/uma/play_podcast?podlink=MTg1Mzg=
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