Rongoā Mauri

03/10/2025

Kia ora koutou, can anyone recommend a good native plant app for Northern Territory please?

26/09/2025

"Ka tangi te wharauroa, ko ngā karere a Mahuru," If the shining cuckoo cries, it is the messenger of Spring.

Today, in Henderson, Auckland, I heard the first call of the Pipiwharauroa. Its song rang out vibrant and full of energy, as if announcing its joy at arriving here once more. Straight away, my thoughts turned to the delicate nest of the Riroriro (Grey Warbler), for it is there that the Pipiwharauroa will often lay its eggs, entrusting the raising of its young to the smaller bird.

The Pipiwharauroa’s journey is extraordinary. It travels thousands of miles across the vast ocean, carrying with it even a small pebble to help retain moisture along the way. I can’t help but reflect on the magnitude of this migration — the courage it takes to leave distant shores, to endure such a crossing, and to finally arrive on this island with the hope that it will once again provide sustenance and safety.

My ears will be attuned now, listening for its call.

03/09/2025

MĀWE (Galium aparine)
A Spring Cleanse

As the season turns and Papatūānuku shifts, Māwe rises with the spring to guide us in emptying and cleansing the vessel. This humble yet powerful rongoā moves the stagnant waters within, gently stimulating the lymph and bringing flow where there has been heaviness or congestion.

Traditionally, Māwe is called upon when swollen lymph glands appear—whether in the tonsils, armpits, breasts, or groin. She is equally supportive in acute flare-ups as well as in long-standing stagnation. When the lymphatic flow is accompanied by heat—warmth to the touch, redness, or swelling—Māwe works to cool, soothe, and release.

Spring is the perfect time to call on Māwe. She helps clear the residue of winter—the heaviness of rich foods, stillness, and accumulation—restoring vitality to body and spirit. As a diuretic, Māwe moves water not only physically but spiritually, reminding us to let go and allow the flow of renewal.

Māwe is also a diuretic so bear this in mind. She moves water physically and spiritually.

Water is emotion so when we release and move water, we are also shifting and moving emotions. A memory or emotion is likely to come up.

Something to ask yourself is "What long-held emotion, belief, or memory might be surfacing now, asking to be released?

01/09/2025

Sharing this post from 2019 of honeydew. La Charme I must admit, I enjoyed the taste despite how its excreted … aue. And I would do it again 😳

25/08/2025

Kia ora koutou, tonight is postponed. Our roopū, Te Waka Rākau, will see you next Monday at the Ranui Community Centre xx

18/08/2025

Is there someone you know who needs a mirimiri? Share this panui with them. Happening tonight at the Ranui Community Centre xx Nau mai

10/08/2025

I can feel the transition into a new season. The light is changing and so are the sounds in the ngahere. Transition means a change in frequency for Papatūānuku, and therefore, for us. If we don't flow with the cycles of Nature she will certainly force the flow upon us and this can feel like a jolt to the system. This can throw us off balance so it's a good idea to start sipping on some bitter rongoā like kūmarahou. Bitters naturally bring on a wiri, an internal body shudder to bring us in to balance.

I had a magical walk with another fae in the ngahere today. Always magical when everything you see is with reverence and awe. The image here looks almost like a Nature cathedral. The parataniwha holding the korowai while the rākau act like sentinels. We felt drawn to walk through the tripod but thought "not today".

I trust you are enjoying your Sunday evening wherever you are xx

04/08/2025

We are at the Ranui Community Centre tonight 6 pm - 8 pm. Every Monday whanau. No appointment necessary.

Kia ora whanau, we are in the Ranui Community Centre on Monday's from 6-8 pm. We will be offering Mirimiri and Rongoā, or pop in for a kōrero. No appointment necessary xx