Scholarship recipient for He taonga kē te ngahere: Lily Keats-Farr (Ngāti Pūkenga)

Rongoā Māori is a holistic healing system based on traditional Māori beliefs and values. While research about rongoā Māori has increased in recent years, the perspectives and voices of those who utilise rongoā Māori practices are currently limited in the literature. In addition, there is a lack of research into how Aotearoa New Zealanders utilise rongoā Māori practices in their everyday lives and its specific contribution to well-being. Two hundred and seventy-four participants took part in an online questionnaire that measured physical, psychological, social, and spiritual well-being and included open-ended questions for participants to provide their perspectives. Findings indicated that rongoā Māori engagement contributed to improved hauora, with significant findings for psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions of well-being. The study also illustrated the significance that rongoā Māori has beyond these aspects of well-being, contributing to enhanced connections to the natural world and strengthened cultural identity. These findings contribute to the sparse literature on rongoā Māori engagement and well-being and promote a holistic preventative approach to health and well-being in Aotearoa New Zealand.