Te Oomai Reia Romiromi Wānanga
These wānanga are for the descendants of the waka tapu o Takitimu. Rangatahi as the descendants of these Tohunga continue to be born with phenomenal spiritual gifts but have never been mentored in how to use them. Having our tamariki and rangatahi at these wānanga is so important as the younger generations soak up the mātauranga and retain the knowledge much faster than the adults. The rangatahi are born with these spiritual abilities of the Tohunga of old even today not knowing how to manage Matekite visions and spiritual experiences. It is vital to role model the kaitiakitanga of Rongoā Māori to future generations of mokopuna with the intention of preserving our ancient healing ways. The wānanga therefore is for the entire whānau where tamariki, rangatahi, parents and grandparents are all involved in the healing process.
The main facilitator Dr Charlotte Mildon comes from a long line of Tohunga Kuia and has a vast repertoire of traditional Māori healing rituals and spiritual practices with over 40 years of experience taught by master Tohuna and Tohunga like the late Te Awhina Riwaka, the late Papa Hohepa De La Mere, the late Dr Rose Pere, the late Tom Maraki, the late Manu Korewha and Atarangi Murupaenga. This expertise enables her to work with tauira of all ages creating a safe learning environment throughout the wānanga series being a master in her own field, fluent in the Māori philosophies of healing mate porangi, mate wairangi, mate haurangi, mate Māori and mate makutu.
Each wānanga throughout the year builds on the last, geared up to assess the retention of mātauranga. Experiential learning ensures the tauira are actively involved in the mahi as this is conducive with Māori ways of learning. An app as a digital platform will feature a range of videos and pictures with multi choice quizzes for the revision and retention of wānanga teachings. Using technology that rangatahi are fluent in, better suits their learning styles and ensures the retention of knowledge.
An app sets the stage for the mātauranga of their wānanga (scroll down to the bottom of the page to see prior app content of past wānanga), to go everywhere they go with ‘phone in pocket’ so the app covers a wider audience without any barriers of location. The technology incites the curiosity of the younger generation as this is the way they learn best, using apps and technology that are fun and challenging at the same time. Access to the app is reserved for wānanga participants only. Please use your username and password to access the wānanga you have attended.
According to the late Dr Rose Pere, the twin flame of Tane is Hinekura!
Year One of the wānanga focused on ‘healing the self’ outlining the philosophies and whakapapa of tauira to ancestors of Rongoā Māori and Romiromi.
Year Two focused on ‘healing the whānau’ by linking into the ancestors of te tai ao, showcasing the different rituals and practices of Rongoā Māori and Romiromi.
Year Three will focus on ‘working whaiora in the community’ identifying a full range of ethics and boundaries for being a Romiromi and Rongoā Māori practitioner, whilst still being mentored and supported by the Tohunga and Tohuna.
Each wānanga throughout the year builds on the last, geared up to assess the retention of mātauranga. Experiential learning ensures the tauira are actively involved in the mahi as this is conducive with the Māori ways of learning. Using technology that rangatahi are fluent in, better suits their learning styles and ensures the retention of knowledge.
The teachings include the many different aspects of Romiromi and Rongoā Māori like for e.g. mahi Rongoā, mahi a wairua, wairakau, whakawātea, maara oranga, maara kai, mirimiri, taa miri, koo miri, romiromi and purepure, so whānau can have an intergenerational learning experience.
After two years of funded Romiromi and Rongoā wānanga from 2023 – 2025 we have now been funded for another two years from 2025 – 2027. It was quite evident that the evaluations that showed the healing outcomes of tauira attending wānanga, were excellent. Please note that the criteria for whānau Māori to whakapapa to Te Waka Tapu o Takitimu waka is mandatory. The waka journeyed through the islands before landing in Kaitaia, then travelling around to the East Coast to Mahia and finally through to Hawkes Bay. To meet the criteria, you will need to trace your whakapapa back to Rongoamaiwahine and her whānau from Ngāti Porou, as well as to her last husband Kahungunu who was born in Kaitaia and then later settled in Te Mahia. The book Takitimu was written by my great grandmother’s brother Jack Mitchell who was able to document the whakapapa of each waka back to the Takitimu waka. Although the book is very old, the whakapapa is in the back of the book and you can find it in the reference section at libraries all around New Zealand.
There will be five wānanga held bi-monthly from 2025 – 2026 and the next wānanga will be updated here on this page.
Wānanga One 2025 was scheduled for the 5th – 7th September, 2025.
Wānanga Two 2025 was scheduled for the 7th – 9th November, 2025
Romiromi and Rongoā Wānanga Tuatoru Program
He Atua … He Tangata! Join the Te Oomai Reia Romiromi whānau to link in to the inherent spiritual gifts you were born with as mokopuna o te waka tapu o Takitimu. Originally gifted from the Pasfika islands – Samoa, Fiji, Rarotonga and Tahiti before arriving in Awanui (near Kaitaia), the North Cape, then continuing around the East cape, and finally landing in Ahuriri, Hawkes Bay. The Tākitimu waka is famed for linking Polynesian homelands to Aotearoa and establishing deep connections for many iwi (tribes). E ki a Dr Rose Pere, the waka bought with it the Tohunga kuia, who according to the late Hohepa Kereopa, were the strongest Tohunga of all. The traditional role of the Tohunga was and still is, to pass down the sacred healing lores of whakapapa, takutaku, romiromi, karakia, pounamu, the mauri of the whales, the divine feminine rainbow tipua and all the elemental Atua both female and male, as a wananga for their mokopuna who also rode on the waka Takitimu.
Program: While we aim to follow the program, sometimes the ancestors have another kaupapa for us and so we are flexible as to the needs of our tauira. If you happen to arrive late and miss the powhiri, please come straight on to the marae as the karanga will provide the energy to keep us all safe throughout the duration of the wānanga.
FRIDAY 16th January 2026
9am Pōwhiri
9.30 Kai – Kai preparation for the day
9.45am Waiatatia Kapa Haka
10am Announcements. Housekeeping. Set up working groups for kitchen, dining room, toilets and work areas. Patai?
Whakawhānaungatanga: Introductions. What do you bring with you and what do you hope to achieve at this wananga?
10.30 am Te Whakapapa o ngā Apa / Atua Wahine nā rātou i ārahi, i whakakaha i a Papa De La Mere (Tohunga Ahurewa), i a Te Awhina Riwaka (Tohunga Rongoā), me Takuta Arikirangi Tūruki Rangimārie Rose Pere (Tohunga Tipua).
The genealogy of the personified female ancestors / Goddesses of nature who guided and led the work of the late Papa De La Mere (Tohunga of the highest order), the late Te Awhina Riwaka (Tohunga Rongoā), and the late Dr Arikirangi Tūruki Rangimārie Rose Pere (Tohuna – sower of the seeds of wisdom).
The creation story of the Tohunga is very different to the Tohuna and is nothing like the contemporary stories being told today but this is not for public viewing, publishing or social media and is only shared in wānanga.
11.30 a. Composing whaikorero and karanga for tangihanga from templates
b. How will this mātauranga be passed down to your mokopuna and mokomoko yet to come?
c. Art work: Identify the personified Atua of nature (both female and male twin flames) who work in sync with one another
d. Contemporary Te Reo and the ancient Te Reo (the voices of nature)
12.30 Lunch
1.30pm HAEMATA – Master Points in the Head: Part 2
Working with Depression – Mental Health Questionnaire – Spiritual imbalances
Spiritual Philosophies of the Tohunga. Mate Wairangi – Mate Porangi – Mate Maori Spiritual significance and meaning of the Haemata.
Intuitive diagnosis via te whatumanawa of the head and shoulders
3pm Purepure in the Sea in Ahuriri: Spiritual cleansing in the ocean – (weather permitting)
Kua mutu.
SATURDAY 17th January 2026
9am Karakia & Waiata – Koo te Tiriti – Kapa Haka
Whakawhānaungatanga 2 – Evaluation of Friday’s mahi – Whakapapa o nga Atua – Composing whaikorero & karanga – Haemata in the Head – working with depression. Tohunga philosophies for healing – intuitive diagnosis of the head and shoulders.
9.30 Tangihanga Review from Wānanga 1 & Wānanga 2 – Things learned – ‘what to do and what not to do’ Online caskets and weaved whariki for our loved ones
10.00 Romiromi & Rongoā: Healing Chronic Diseases: Cancer & Dementia – the pros and cons for ‘healing rituals’ instead of ‘health practices’
Symptoms – Spiritual significance – Rongoā – Preventative – What to and what not to do – Working with health professionals
11.30am Part 2: Mate Makutu – Historical makutu and its effects. Keeping you, your whānau and your environment safe by being more aware
12.00pm Lunch
1.00pm GROUP WORK: Let’s romiromi – group work, step by step – takutaku – intuitive diagnosis – mirimiri – romiromi – FEEDBACK
3pm – 4pm Romiromi: working the legs to move forward
SUNDAY 18th January 2026
Clean up of the marae before starting – kitchens, toilets, dining room and wharenui to be out of the marae by 1pm
9am Karakia versus Inoi – Feedback of Saturday’s mahi – Tangihanga review – Healing chronic diseases using Rongoā and Romiromi
9.30am – He Pure: What are Takutaku? Why use pounamu with Takutaku?
10am Parasite cleansing update and kai rongoā for healing chronic disease
10.30 Review time – Patai?
11am Working the elderly and helping them to access ACC Rongoā Māori sessions for their mamae
12pm Clean up, pack and ready to go home by 1pm
ALTERNATIVELY, COPY AND PASTE THIS LINK TO REGISTER: https://form.jotform.com/253627514740053
Te Waka Tapu o Takitimu Wānanga Content
Many of the philosophies of Te Oomai Reia Romiromi originated from the teachings of the late Papa Hohepa De La Mere, Tohunga Ahurewa, alongside the feminine wisdom of the Tohuna Dr. Arikirangi Turuki Rangimarie Rose Pere.
The late Papa Hohepa De La Mere
Te Oomai-reia is magical in its format. It’s healing and delivery is powerful and positive. This traditional Maori healing knowledge that was passed down through the generations to our master teacher, Papa Hohepa Delamere. I was honoured and privileged to have been one of his tauira – students. Papa Delamere has given his blessing to teach ‘Te Oomai Reia’ to help other people. Even though he shared these teachings with many different cultures around the world, he was far more in-depth with his students in Aotearoa.
“While our hands move with eternity, our feet are firmly entrenched in infinity and still, we remain in our integrity.” Papa Hohepa Delamere, 2003.
The foundation of this work is based on the philosophy of traditional Maori Healing Te Oomai-Reia Romiromi. Mirimiri, Koo Miri, and Taa Miri are an integral part of Te Oomai Reia Romiromi. You do not have to touch a person or even be in close proximity to do mirimiri, koo miri or taa miri so, it is perfect for working with people who wish to do their healing online, either one-on-one, or in an online group setting.
Mirimiri is the spiritual manipulation of energy that can release negative energies, physical, psychological and even generational pain that is trapped in the cellular memory of the body. In philosphy, mirimiri is the spiritual healing process that clears any unnecessary energies that may block the healing process. The practising Tohunga links in to the vibrations of the female and male Atua and incites the support of the ancestors (natural phenomena) and kaitiaki (spiritual guardians) of the whai-ora (person seeking wellness), to clear any energies that are blocking the healing process.
Koo miri is the manipulation of energy in the body using traditional chants that incite different aspects of nature to heal. It is a means of using vibrational sound to bring about shifts and changes calling upon the personified guardians of nature. Koo miri facilitates an opportunity to let go of old memories that are trapped in the cellular memory of the body. Koo Miri is a process whereby the practitioner intuitively communicates with the body of the whai-ora (person seeking wellness) to explore the ‘core’ emotional experiences behind the physical, psychological or mental ailments. Where resistance is found, the practitioner can use takutaku to re-balance spiritual imbalances that will facilitate holistic wellbeing.
Taa Miri is the intuitive diagnosis of the ahua – (spiritual aura or appearance) of the body and the outer etheric body. Taa Miri reads trauma, negative energies, emotional pain, physical and psychological pain or even generational pain trapped in the body and sometimes through the family lines. Taa Miri is about listening to the body. Trauma, negative energies, emotional pain, physical and psychological pain or even generational pain can be trapped in the cellular memory of the body. The trained Tohunga (priest/priestess) practitioner can literally see where these painful experiences are sitting on the body and which bones may have come out of alignment because of it.
Mirimiri, Koo Miri, Taa Miri, me Romiromi hoki – is an ancient practice of Tohunga to clear, release and re-energize one’s entire being. As a student of Papa De La Mere, I experienced romiromi each week by his students of Papa De La Mere for nearly six months that is, until I discovered that I could fall into a deep state of delta meditation on the table. Some of the students were stunned because they were unable to ilicit a response from my body while performing romiromi. From that point on, only Papa De La Mere worked me using mirimiri, taa miri and koo miri – spiritual healing and takutaku chants to open and release any emotional and physical blockages in my body. Consequently, the energy in my body began to flow again. I use a range of spiritual healing techniques, romiromi modalities and dietary changes specific to healing including hydrating the body with water. I also use a range of natural remedies to cleanse the body’s systems, heal chronic dis-ease and boost the immune system so the body and spirit can work for you at its optimal potential.
Te Oomai Reia romiromi is a healing process, and in some cases, practitioners use their elbows, knees, feet, greenstone, wood, and sea water to clear and open blocked energy points in the body. In my experience, whilst studying with Papa De La Mere, the transformations seen in romiromi were life-changing. Hence, this work is very sacred to our culture.
The Traditional Maori Healing Techniques
“Te Whai Tika Kia Ora Ko Te Tinana” is the correcting of the body with deep tissue energy release. Deeper than what is already understood by the term ‘deep tissue’. Converting spiritual energy with universal acquaintance, used with neutral force, distributed by human communication which gives us as Māori our difference. Maintaining the work done in this manner is complemented by other methods of spiritual bodywork available today along with our ancient medicines that aid in healing.
The ancient Māori referred to this method of healing as: “TE OOMAI-REIA”
The use of natural tools with mystique and their coded messages were in the ancient prayers and songs used for healing. Calling upon their skills from the Gods and Ancestors who have and still travel the road leading to ‘Te Reinga Mutunga Kore!’
Our spiritual homeland for Māori is also the place where our knowing and understanding is held and kept. All this knowledge is cosmic, atmospheric, and earthly and is always at the center of healing. The spiritual healing knowledge and the whakapapa of this healing is often taught from a very early age and for some, prophesied by Tohunga (priest/priestess) even before birth.
“Te Oomai reia” is magical. The healing, delivery and outcomes are powerful and positive.
‘While our hands move with eternity, our feet are firmly entrenched in infinity and still, we remain in our integrity’
Na Papa Joe
Te Oomai Reia Romiromi and Rongoā Wānanga Series
Year Three Wananga App Content 2025 – 2026
The third series of wānanga from are funded by Te Whatu Ora.
Romiromi and Rongoā Māori will be showcased throughout the wānanga series.
Watch this space. More coming!
Year Two Wananga App Content 2024 – 2025
The second series of wānanga from 2024 – 2025 are funded by Te Whatu Ora.
Romiromi and Rongoā Māori will be showcased throughout the wānanga series.
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