Rongoā Māori Code of Conduct (ACC-Aligned)
1. Tikanga and Wairua First
- Uphold tikanga Māori in all interactions.
- Begin and close sessions with appropriate karakia or purea.
- Recognise wairua, hinengaro, tinana, and whānau as interconnected and treat with respect.
2. Scope of Practice
- Provide only services within the recognised scope of Rongoā Māori:
- Mirimiri / Romiromi
- Karakia / Waiata / Purea
- Whakawhiti kōrero (therapeutic kōrero)
- Rongoā rākau (safe plant-based remedies)
- Do not claim to provide cures for serious illness (e.g. cancer, diabetes).
- Do not prescribe pharmaceuticals, invasive treatments, or non-Rongoā modalities under the name of Rongoā Māori.
3. Informed Consent and Mana of the Client
- Always seek informed consent before treatment.
- Ensure the client understands the kaupapa, process, and expected outcomes of the rongoā provided.
- Respect the autonomy of the client and support whānau-led decision-making.
- Maintain confidentiality and privacy in line with ACC and Health Information Privacy Code.
4. Safety and Risk Management
- Check for allergies, medications, or conditions that may contraindicate rongoā rākau.
- Do not disturb or replace prescribed medications from a GP or specialist.
- Encourage partnership with western medicine where appropriate.
- Maintain a clean, safe, and welcoming clinical environment.
5. Professional Integrity
- Conduct yourself with manaakitanga, aroha, and professionalism.
- Do not exploit clients financially, emotionally, or spiritually.
- Be transparent with costs and provide receipts in line with ACC requirements.
- Refrain from inappropriate relationships with clients.
6. Accountability and Supervision
- Engage in regular supervision or peer review to ensure safe practice.
- Seek guidance when working with complex cases.
- Be open to feedback from clients, whānau, supervisors, and ACC.
- Commit to ongoing professional development in Rongoā Māori and healthcare safety.
7. Record Keeping
- Keep accurate, secure, and clear records of all consultations and rongoā provided.
- Use systems such as Cliniko (or equivalent) to support compliance with ACC reporting and auditing.
- Document assessment, plan, interventions, and outcomes for every session.
8. Boundaries and Tikanga of Tapu/Noa
- Separate personal life from professional practice.
- Do not carry unresolved mamae, personal issues, or conflicting kaupapa into the healing space.
- Use purea to maintain your own ma and to ensure safety for clients.
- Respect tapu spaces, practices, and restrictions at all times.
9. Equity and Access
- Provide services in a way that is culturally safe and accessible to Māori and all clients.
- Acknowledge historical trauma and intergenerational mamae while focusing on healing and empowerment.
- Ensure whānau feel heard, valued, and supported.
10. Commitment to Io and Healing Purpose
- Recognise that true healing comes through Io (universal source) and ngā Atua, not from the individual practitioner alone.
- Stay humble, remembering that the mahi is a privilege of service, not personal power.
- Always align practice with tika, pono, and aroha.
✨ This code shows ACC that you:
- Stay in your lane (scope of practice).
- Maintain client safety and professional boundaries.
- Uphold tikanga while operating in a regulated health environment.
Whakapakari Ora invites you to walk with us on a journey of reconnection, healing and mātauranga Māori.
Our wānanga and events are open to the public and grounded in kaupapa Māori values of manaakitanga, wairuatanga, and kaitiakitanga. These spaces are created to uplift community wellbeing, share traditional knowledge, and strengthen our connection to te taiao (the natural world).
We offer a range of experiences throughout the motu, including:
- 🌿 Rongoā Workshops – hands-on learning in mirimiri, rongoā rākau (native plant medicine), and traditional healing practices
- 🚶♀️ Hīkoi Series – guided nature walks exploring rākau Māori, pūrākau (storytelling), and spiritual grounding
- 🧶 Weaving Workshops – collaborative raranga experiences delivered with our hoa mahi at Kahu Collective, weaving both fibres and community
- 🧘♀️ Guided Meditations & Wairua Practices – calming sessions to align wairua and hinengaro, grounded in maramataka and te taiao
- 🩺 Koha-Based Community Clinics – accessible mirimiri and holistic rongoā services offered with aroha
Our events align with the maramataka (Māori lunar calendar), creating opportunities to attune with the natural rhythms of the moon and environment.
📅 Browse Upcoming Events
Our upcoming wānanga and clinics are listed below. Click on each event for details and bookings.
👉 [Explore the Collection Above]
Spaces are limited, and koha-based clinics may book out quickly — we encourage early registration.
For pātai, group bookings, or collaborations, please contact us at info@whakapakariora.com.

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Ready to take control of your wellness journey? Secure your spot now by booking your session. Don't wait any longer—start your path to holistic health today!
Choose from our three locations; New Brighton and Christchurch City. Or book for an Online Consultation.