Teuila Waiari-Winters is part of an iwi youth programme in which participants have been harvesting medicinal Māori plants and brewing up balms, tonics and herbal tea that will be gifted to kaumātua.
Teuila Waiari-Winters is part of an iwi youth programme in which participants have been harvesting medicinal Māori plants and brewing up balms, tonics and herbal tea that will be gifted to kaumātua.
Rangatahi on an iwi youth programme have been harvesting medicinal Māori plants and brewing up balms, tonics and herbal tea that will be gifted to kaumātua.
The Ngāi Te Rangi initiative aimed to teach the youngsters botany as well as entrepreneurial and traditional Māori skills, while navigating making the products from start to finish, a statement from the iwi said. The making of the products was done in a marae kitchen.
HbU (How ‘bout you?) mobile health waka team leader Carley Ririnui-Hennings said the joint project with Koi Ora Ngahuru Rangatahi focused on empowering disadvantaged young people.
She said rangatahi harvested kawakawa on a hīkoi around Mauao and, under the guidance of registered ronga practitioner Puawai Tawa-Butler, they learnt about its medicinal purposes and how their tūpuna used plants and herbs to heal.
Included in the free gift packs that will be distributed to kāumatua in the lead up to winter were kawakawa pani balm infused with grapeseed oil, candelilla wax and eucalyptus and lemon essential oils.
Carley Ririnui-Hennings (left), Rhiana Fleming, Eileen Lee and Myththys TuMaurirere.
It can be rubbed on the chest for respiratory ailments, or on joints for aches and pains.
There is also a tonic brewed from kūmarahou with liquorice and ginger root alongside organic tea made with chamomile flowers, dried kawakawa leaves and lemon.
Ririnui-Hennings said every year the iwi distributed free packs to kaumātua “made with aroha”.
“Everything has been a learning experience because they have done all the steps from harvesting to production and packaging. We even made our own labels.
“It’s been an enjoyable process and all the feedback from the kids has been positive.”
Rangatahi harvested kawakawa on a hīkoi around Mauao.
Koi Ora Ngahuru Rangatahi manager Katarina Ngatai said it was also a fantastic opportunity for the rangatahi to connect with te ao Māori (tikanga customary values).
“That is one of our core objectives so it was wonderful they were able to learn about traditional Māori medicine.
“Sharing knowledge is important and hopefully we can continue this kaupapa in the future.”
Mātauranga Reo kaimahi Kaya Waiariki said 20 rangatahi attended Koi Ora Ngahuru, which was held during the April school holidays.
“I love how authentic our processes and our programmes are.
“You know, it’s real grassroots and it’s been lovely to see the rangatahi form some strong bonds between them.”
She said the kaumātua gift packs were just part of the programme, which included an overnight stay on Te Rereatukāhia Marae, preparing a hāngī and listening to storytelling in a marae kitchen.
Those are the words 14-year-old Myththys TuMauirere used to describe his time on the youth programme.
“I can’t believe they sell these in the shops for 30 bucks.”
He is on the kawakawa balm production line. Jars of the balm are lined up waiting for the lids to be stickered.
The Ngāi Te Rangi initiative aims to teach the youngsters entrepreneurial, botany and traditional Māori skills while navigating making the products from start to finish, a statement from the iwi said.
“Smells bloody nice too,” he said, taking a big sniff.
“We smashed it. I came because I had nothing else to do and I was bored. I’m glad I did because I’ve enjoyed it.”
