Harata Meretana Ma Charitable Trust

Nau mai haere mai ki te Rongoā and Romiromi wānanga series. The Kaupapa Māori delivery of these wānanga is for Māori, by Māori and with Māori to give tauira the space to be unapologetically Māori.  The preferred criteria is for whānau with little or no experience in traditional Māori healing as opposed to experienced Rongoā or Romiromi tauira. In past wānanga, tauira are encouraged to share their feedback with the whānau as it can be a valuable learning tool for those who may be feeling exactly the same.  Barriers exist for the ‘hard to reach’ or ‘high needs’ whānau who may never have had access to wānanga of this caliber but all kaimahi will be working in a supportive role throughout these wānanga.

At times during wānanga, traumatic experiences can resurface where the tauira may wail like kuia to release pent up energy that can shift and move old mamae at the core of mauiui thus restoring the equilibrium of the tauira. The Tohunga encourage the tauira to connect with the spiritual phenomena of nature as the personified ancestors of the ngāhere, the elements, the sea, the whenua, the stars, the birds, the mammals, the insects for healing. Always being fully supported whether in or out of wānanga through Telegram messenger pages.

An app sets the stage for the mātauranga of their 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.

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. 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 Tohunga who have been contracted for this project Tohunga possess a vast repertoire of traditional Māori healing rituals and spiritual practices with over 70 years of experience between them, 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. The Tohunga have expertise to work with tauira of all ages creating a safe learning environment throughout the wānanga series being masters in their 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 the 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.

 Year one of the wānanga focuses on ‘healing the self’ outlining the philosophies and whakapapa of tauira to ancestors of Rongoā Māori and Romiromi. 

 Year two focuses 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 focuses on ‘working whaiora in the community’ identifying a full range of ethics and boundaries for being a Rongoā Māori practitioner whilst still being mentored and supported by the Tohunga.  

 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, and purepure, so whānau can have an intergenerational learning experience.

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 that 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 was 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 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.

Login here

Access to the app is reserved for wānanga participants only. Please use your username and password to access the wānanga content that you have attended.

Year One 2023 – 2024 Wananga App Content