Rongoā Māori (traditional Māori healing)
We fund rongoā Māori as part of treatment and rehabilitation.
Who can get this
Veterans may receive funding for Rongoā Māori services if they are eligible for social rehabilitation. i.e. if it’s required as a direct consequence of the injury or illness for which they are receiving entitlements.
What you can get
Veterans can access their care through one of the providers listed on the ACC list of accredited and registered tohunga rongoā(external link) (rongoā Māori providers).
Services we cover
- Mirimiri — including whakawhiti kōrero (support and advice/counselling); karakia / takutaku (prayer to recite karakia); waiata (song); taonga pūro (instrumental music); breathwork; mahi wairua/whakapapa (connection to wairua and tūpuna/ancestors); energetic and vibrational stimulation and shifts. May include some mirimiri bodywork to stimulate and energise blood, bone and tissues.
- Romiromi — deep tissue stimulation of acupressure and acupuncture points to re-align, re-adjust, the physical body
- Wai rākau/Rongoā rākau — use of native plants and herbal preparations.
Services we don’t cover
- Healing approaches from non-Māori cultural traditions, such as Reiki or hyperbaric oxygen treatment.
Costs we cover
- Veterans’ Affairs can approve up to 12 sessions at a time according to the veterans’ needs.
- Veterans’ Affairs will pay up to NZ$125 plus GST per hour per session.
- This includes room hire, sundries and herbal preparations used as part of the session.
Costs we don’t cover
- Herbal preparation or equipment that the veteran needs to take away after the session.
How to apply
Funding must be recommended by a health practitioner, or we can arrange a social rehabilitation needs assessment to be completed.
Please contact your Case Manager for further assistance.
What happens next
After you contact us and specify your Rongoā Māori Provider we will provide them an assessment form to complete.
For Providers
For invoicing information. Please check our Invoicing Us Page.
Find out more
Contact us for more information.
We strive to be transparent. If you want to know how this is administered, you can ready the policy.
Rongoa Māori Policy [PDF, 358 KB]
Social Rehabilitation Policy [PDF, 352 KB]
