Māori Healing Practitioners Uphold Value of Rongoā Māori Amid Corrections Programme Scrutiny

AUCKLAND — Māori practitioners are upholding the integrity of rongoā Māori, asserting that the traditional healing practice is a vital mātauranga-based system focused on holistic wellbeing. The advocacy comes as the Department of Corrections faces scrutiny over plans to introduce rongoā services within 14 of the nation’s prisons, a move intended to support the physical and mental health of incarcerated individuals. Writing for Waatea News on Sunday, 9 August 2026, commentator Matthew Tukaki highlighted that the Corrections initiative was first reported in March as a strategy to prepare individuals for rehabilitation. The department indicated that improving health through culturally appropriate support could serve as an essential first step toward addressing offending and addiction. However, recent media commentary has prompted a pause in the planned rollout. In response to the debate, practitioners interviewed by Te Ao Māori News have defended rongoā against simplistic characterisations. While some media discussions reduced the practice to mere massage, advocates emphasize that rongoā Māori is a comprehensive system of knowledge passed through generations. It encompasses rākau rongoā (plant medicine), mirimiri (bodywork), karakia (prayer), and wairuatanga (spirituality), all grounded in the relationships between tinana (physical), hinengaro (mental), wairua (spiritual), and whenua (land). Tukaki noted that while public spending should always be subject to scrutiny, it is essential to understand the actual nature of the services being discussed. The current dialogue serves as a reminder of the resilience of Māori healing traditions and the ongoing efforts to ensure that mātauranga Māori is respected and correctly contextualised within public health and justice frameworks.