January 24, 2022
PR: Mirimiri Te Waipounamu Roadshow 2022
Jolie Davis (Te Rarawa, Ngāti Kurī) is heading a group of 12 practitioners based in Wellington who will be undertaking an 18-day mirimiri roadshow through Te Waipounamu in March 2022.
The purpose of the roadshow is to promote mirimiri and romiromi (traditional Māori bodywork and healing) as effective and holistic treatment to restore and maintain individual, whānau and community wellbeing.
Over the last 16 months, Manawa Ora has held regular community clinic days in Porirua, Lower Hutt and Wainuiomata. Up to 16 practitioners treat more than 100 people per clinic day.
The roadshow for Te Waipounamu is self-funded. We don’t receive any community funding to do this. So a $20 charge for treatment basically covers travel, kai and accommodation costs for the group.
The Wellington clinic days are growing in popularity and now include many of our Pacific Island whānau, particularly in Porirua – who liken mirimiri to their traditional healing practices; ie; fofo.
Jolie Davis says: “Whānau need and are searching for healing in ways and environments that are relevant to them. They want to access safe and effective treatment – outside of clinical approaches and medication-based solutions.
“Mirimiri and romiromi provides that. At clinic days, we have music, we sing, we manaaki the whaiora (people seeking wellness), we allow them to laugh, to cry.
“For some, it’s the most extraordinary experience they’ve had in years. There’s an exchange of energy – mauri-ki-te-mauri. And, of course, the release from stress and pain. Just being in the space is healing.
“People bring their friends, work colleagues and family members along for treatment. We have entire families who return to the clinic days. We’ve developed relationships and we’re keen to keep building that because it’s important in terms of connection and wellness in communities.”
A major barrier to accessing treatment is cost. One wahine told us: “I can’t afford to spend $100 on myself so I end up just putting up with the pain. But I can find $20 – these clinic days are awesome!” Clinic days make treatment affordable and accessible to the people who need it most.
These events are not only an opportunity for whānau to experience mirimiri and romiromi but also to gain a better understanding of what mirimiri is. ie; changing the misconception that mirimiri is merely massage. For many people, this is their first experience and the intention is to make it a positive one.
“Clinic days are one of the ways that we get out into communities, raise the profile of rongoā Māori and normalise mirimiri and romiromi.”
In April this year, Manawa Ora was invited into Parliament by the Māori and Pacific caucus to hold a clinic day for MPs and staff. Jolie Davis says: “It was a wonderful opportunity to showcase mirimiri and romiromi, and as far as I know, the first time this has happened in Parliament. The event was well-received and we are looking forward to making it a regular wellbeing event.”
Te Waipounamu Itinerary – March 2022:
Sat 5 March: Blenheim (venue TBC)
Sun 6 March: Nelson (venue TBC)
Tues 8 March: Hokitika (Westreap Centre)
Thurs 10 March: Queenstown (Sherwood)
Sat 12 March: Invercargill (The Pod)
Tues 15 March: Dunedin (The Valley Project)
Thurs 16 March: Christchurch (He Waka Tapu)
Sat 18 March: Christchurch (Phillips Town Community Hub)
Sun 20 March: Kaikōura (Memorial Hall)
Sessions are 20 minutes for $20 charge. Bookings can be made online via the Manawa Ora website: www.manawaora.org from 10 January onwards. Under the current guidelines, we require that everyone attending must be fully vaccinated.
The Manawa Ora team is looking forward to sharing the healing kaupapa in communities. This could likely become an annual event rather than a one-off.