Activity

Using rongoā Māori

In this activity, students learn about rongoā Māori (medicines that are produced from native plants in New Zealand) through a silent card game.

Two men looking after plants at Pa Harakeke Native Plant Nursery

Rongoā nursery

The plants harvested from Pa Harakeke Native Plant Nursery will in later years be used for their rongoā (medicinal) properties and in the making of natural medicines.

Rights: Pa Harakeke Eco-Cultural Centre

By the end of this activity, students should be able to:

  • explain what rongoā Māori is

  • name some native plants in New Zealand that are used for rongoā Māori

  • name some medical problems that native plants can be used for

  • name some medical uses for some of the native plants.

Download the Word file (see link below) for:

  • introduction/background notes

  • what you need

  • what to do.

Related content

High school student Chris Ryan researched the medicinal properties of kawakawa, read about it in this Connected journal article.

Explore our collection of Rongoā Māori resources on the Science Learning Hub, included are helpful notes for teachers. Login to make this collection part of your private collection – just click on the copy icon. You can then add additional content, notes and make other changes.

Published: 12 November 2010