What is a rongoā garden?
This is a welcoming space to reconnect with Papatūānuku and feel culturally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally strengthened. The Rongoā garden's fresh plants will enable our akonga to learn about Aotearoa's traditional healing plants.
Our Rongoa, our medicinal garden was constructed by the 2017 school admin and council. It was officially opened in 2018. It was created to build our knowledge of Maori medicinal plants and to learn about Maori Mythology. This project won a Transpower merit award.
Thanks to the CPS Gardening Club our Rongoa had a complete makeover in 2023/2024
Rongoā Karakia
There are many different types of plants in our garden that are used for a myriad of ailments. If you visit our Rongoa you might see…
Ake Ake
The roots, leaves and bark have been used for many centuries. It is known to be good for degenerative diseases, such as high blood pressure, prostate cancer and even asthma and obesity. Also used as a relaxant for muscles which spasm. Used topically to relieve toothache, headache, joints, cuts & bruises
RengarengaRock Lily
The base of the rengarenga leaves was made into a poultice and applied to ulcers. Rengarenga roots were also used for other skin complaints such as acne, abscesses, and tumours. The roots were scraped, roasted, beaten to a pulp, and then applied to the affected area.
Karamu
An ointment containing karamu, natanata, kormiko and pukatea was applied to the affected area to treat skin ailments such as sores and boils. Its name is Hapete ointment.
The inner bark of the karamu branch was placed in cold water and the liquid applied to aches and pains.
To treat broken limbs, karamu leaves and twigs were boiled and the liquid extract applied to the broken limb.
Karamu and kawakawa were boiled together and the extract was drunk to relieve urinary problems.
Young karamu shoots were also boiled and the extract given to relieve tummy issues.
Koromiko
The tender shoots were used to relieve stomach aches. The ends of the leaves were chewed and used for the treatment of diarrhea.
An infusion of the leaf acts as a powerful astringent and if chewed can promote hunger.
Tender leaves were picked and applied as a poultice for ulcers.
A preparation of the plant was used in the treatment of a skin disease affecting children.
Kawakawa
Paipai was a common skin condition of the Maori that resembled ringworm. Treatment of this ailment with kawakawa was done using a steaming process.
Boils were treated with kawakawa as it was considered an astringent. Patients would usually be treated with a kawakawa infusion given by mouth for 3 days.
Stomach pains were treated with kawakawa. The leaves, the bark, and the root were also chewed to stop cure dysentery.
Kawakawa leaves were boiled and a patient would bathe in the remaining liquid as a treatment for rheumatism and arthritis.
Kawakawa leaves would be roasted and this process eventuated in a juice that could be placed on any wound. The wound could also be bound up with fresh leaves which made the healing process quicker.
To treat bruises, kawakawa leaves were boiled and placed onto the bruise as hot as the patient could stand.
