Te Hiku Rongoā Māori Collective

14/08/2026

Another amazing day making taonga pūoro. 🌿🎶

Papa Joe brought in his large matau (hook), made from mānuka. It was a beautiful reminder of the importance of taking the time to really observe what nature naturally presents to us — if we are willing to look up from our phones and those digital distractions, and truly reconnect with te taiao.

Some people brought in their own taonga to continue working on, others made uku taonga, and everyone managed to create a pōrōtiti to take home. We also had the opportunity to explore and play with a range of other taonga pūoro. 💚

Massive love and gratitude to my sister Baba Jerrie, who helped load and transport all our equipment from Whangārei to our Whare Rongoā so we could run today’s workshops. 🙏

The whare was absolutely buzzing, with rongoā also being prepared for our Mauri Ora Mai Tāwhito Wānanga in two weeks, along with preparations for other kaupapa. 🌿

We also had a wonderful surprise visit from our Hohou Te Rongoā whānau from the Mid North — always beautiful to reconnect. ❤️

We also want to send our deepest condolences and aroha to our whānau at Te Ohaki Marae, Roma, Ahipara - whom our Mid North team had been supporting.

E rere ana te aroha ki a koutou i tēnei wā taumaha.
Our love and thoughts are with you all during this difficult time. 🕊️❤️

09/08/2026

Nau mai, haere mai!!

03/08/2026

As we celebrate our 10th wānanga, we also remember and honour those who helped establish and guide
this kaupapa but are no longer physically with us. Their wisdom, teachings, and legacy remain - through the
“interwoven tapestry of connection” that our Te Rarawa Mauri Ora Mai Tāwhito Wānanga offers. 🌿
This year marks our 10th wānanga! 🎉 We invite you to join us in celebrating this significant milestone.

Nau Mai, Haere Mai.... click on Website below to register to attend - spaces are limited so be quick to register - Kaumatua and under 16 are FREE!!!

Te Rarawa Anga Mua in partnership with  Te Aho Tū Roa (Toimata Foundation) are honoured to be supporting Tuia Maara Whenua (roopu rongoā) host the 10th 'Mauri Ora Mai Tawhito Wānanga'  on the 25th-27th April, 2025.

29/07/2026

🌿 **Fabulous Friday – 24th July** 🌿

Another awesome day of learning together! 💚

Our Lil wānanga focused on identifying native plants 🌱 and exploring their traditional medicinal uses through **rongoā Māori**.

A huge thank you to **Tina Lee Yates** for bringing along a range of rongoā and helping guide us through the day's programme. 🙏

We also prepared **Pukatea**, soaking it in **harakeke (flaxseed) oil** to infuse over the next three months. 🌿🫙 We carefully recorded where the rongoā was harvested, ensuring the source of each preparation is documented for future reference and traceability.

🌿 **Join us every Fabulous Friday!** 🌿

Every Friday until the next school holidays, we gather from **10.00am** for hands-on learning and sharing. Bring a plate of **shared kai** for lunch, come learn, come share, and connect with others on their **rongoā Māori** journey. 💚

📍 **Te Hiku Rongoā Māori Collective – Whare Rongoā Tihei-Wā Mauri Ora**
**155 Commerce Street, Kaitaia**

Nau mai, haere mai – we'd love to see you here! 🌿

🌿

20/07/2026

03/07/2026

🌿✨ **Another Amazing Fabulous Friday!** ✨🌿

Another inspiring day filled with creativity, connection, and rongoā.

Today we were busy making **wai rākau**, creating **rongoā gummies**, weaving **Matariki whetū**, and planning for the **10th Te Rarawa Mauri Ora Mai Tāwhito Wānanga**.

As the founding organisers, our rōpū is incredibly excited to celebrate this special milestone. It's shaping up to be a memorable 10th anniversary, featuring an outstanding line-up of **Te Rarawa kaikōrero**, hands-on workshops, haerenga, historical kōrero, archival treasures, and opportunities to reconnect with each other and Korero tuku iho.

**Connection is the rongoā.** 💚

We also want to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank **Charlotte Rose Tahitahi-Matiu** for the incredible mahi she has done with **Kia Piki Te Ora** at Te Hiku Hauora. Your passion, dedication, and commitment have made a real difference to so many whānau.

Congratulations on your new national role in Wellington! Wishing you every success in this exciting new chapter. You'll be greatly missed, but we know you'll continue to do amazing things wherever your journey takes you.

Ngā mihi nui, Charlotte, and thank you for everything. 💚🌿

30/06/2026

Whakakotahi Hui today ✨🌟

A beautiful day celebrating Puanga/Matariki with our kaumātua. The whare was filled with creativity through raranga (weaving), mahi uku (clay) taonga pūoro, and the sharing of beautiful framed whakataukī.

A massive thank you and heartfelt gratitude to Tracey and the team of Te Hiku Hauora for all the hard work, preparation, and care that went into making today so special. Our kaumātua were truly spoiled, with the day perfectly topped off by a delicious hāngī lunch. 💙

Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou katoa.

27/06/2026

Another amazing Fabulous Friday yesterday! ✨

The ahuahatanga (creativity) was flowing as we prepared for Puanga/Matariki.

We spent the day creating taonga pūoro from shells, engraving, sanding, drilling, painting hue, working with uku, weaving the Seven Sisters of the Matariki constellation, and making rongoā.

The whare was absolutely buzzing with creativity, laughter, and learning. Time flew by so quickly when you're having fun!

Step into the magic and let your creative spirit flow. 🌿🎨🎶

Much love and gratitude to everyone who came along, shared their skills, helped others, and made the day so special.

Another truly amazing Fabulous Friday! 💚✨