A healthcare service mixing traditional Chinese and Maori medicine is being developed in Rotorua as part of a recently formed business partnership.
Te Arawa iwi Ngati Rangiwewehi has announced it has "established a relationship" with Beijing Tong Ren Tang Chinese Medicine Company Limited, Top Eminent Invest Co Ltd of Hong Kong and New Zealand Supreme Group of Rotorua.
Chairman of Te Maru o Ngati Rangiwewehi Iwi Authority, Anaru Bidois said through its settlement with the Crown the iwi had the land and capital resources to develop Maori traditional medicine to the benefit of its people.
"In Beijing Tong Ren Tang we have found a most excellent partner that both understands the importance of traditional medicines and has the expertise and capital to help us develop our resources," Mr Bidois said.
"The joint venture has only just begun but we expect to develop healthcare and therapeutic services utilising traditional Chinese and Maori herbs, massage and other traditional techniques as well as modern healthcare technologies, to help look after our own people and cater to the New Zealand domestic and international tourism markets."
It was hoped a health centre would be built but that was still under discussion, said Mr Bidois. Mr Bidois said the partnership was facilitated by Dr Ho Po Kin managing director of New Zealand Supreme Group of Rotorua.
"Ngati Rangiwewehi has significant interests in forestry lands and is the traditional owner of Taniwha Springs and Hamurana Springs," Mr Bidois said.
"We also look forward to working together with the local community, councils and government departments including DOC with whom we will have significant engagement through our advisers."
Dr Kin has been developing products based on traditional Chinese medicine in New Zealand for years.
"I realised, however, that Maori have their own traditional medicines and wellness culture that I needed to explore," he said.
"It quickly became clear there is a significant potential for co-development between Chinese and Maori in traditional Chinese medicine and Maori traditional medicine and wellbeing.
"Through my Rotorua contacts I learned that Ngati Rangiwewehi had a long and deep involvement in Maori traditional medicines and is developing their own plans for wellness and traditional medicines," Dr Kin said.
"I introduced Tong Reng Tang to Ngati Rangiwewehi and a strong relationship developed between them leading to a Heads of Agreement which was signed last month involving both parties and my company, New Zealand Supreme."