Rongoā

Rongoā refers to the traditional Māori medicinal practices in New Zealand.[1] Rongoā was one of the Māori cultural practices targeted by the Tohunga Suppression Act 1907,[2] until lifted by the Maori Welfare Act 1962.[3] In the later part of the 20th century there was renewed interest in Rongoā as part of a broader Māori renaissance.[4][1]

Rongoā can involve spiritual, herbal and physical components. Herbal aspects used plants such as harakeke, kawakawa, rātā, koromiko, kōwhai, kūmarahou, mānuka, tētēaweka and rimu.[1][5][6][7]

The practice of Rongoā has been removed from the Therapeutics Products Bill, excluding the practice from over-site or regulation and therefore reducing the need to show efficacy, safety or any quality controls over the drugs and therapies prescribed.[8]