Rongoā shines at celebration of Māori performing arts
We were proud to again partner with Te Matatini to spread awareness of our services amongst whānau and provide our largest ever offering of rongoā Māori (traditional healing) at a community event.
A record 55 kapa haka groups and around 70,000 spectators gathered at the Pukekura/Bowl of Brooklands in New Plymouth for Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga 2025, while an estimated TV and online audience of 2.5 million also watched on.
They witnessed Te Kapa Haka o Ngāti Whakaue win the title of Toa Whakaihuwaka – the champions of Te Matatini.
In the biggest festival to date, the rōpū (group) from the Te Arawa region were crowned champions for the first time.
Second place went to Ngāti Rangiwēwehi – also from Te Arawa – while Ngā Tumanako from Tāmaki Makaurau claimed third.
The twelve finalists performed on the final day in front of a sold-out crowd of 15,000.
The winning team were joint runners up at the previous Te Matatini in 2023 but went one better this year as they dedicated their performance to Sir Robert Gillies, the last surviving member of the Māori Battalion during the second world war, who died last November.
Ngāti Whakaue leader Te Ngāwari Wright struggled to find the words to describe the victory but said the biggest difference between this year’s performance and the group’s previous second-equal placing was creating a theme.
“One thing we changed from the last Matatini was to bring our ideas together into a cohesive theme, that is love. After the passing of our elder.”
Te Kapa Haka o Ngāti Whakaue receive their award for becoming champions of Te Matatini.
Sharing information kanohi ki te kanohi
Away from the stage, ACC was on hand to kōrero with whānau about our services kanohi ki te kanohi (face-to-face).
We hosted a stand to share information, as well as providing the largest ever offering of rongoā (traditional Māori healing) for kaihaka (competitors), supporters and whānau.
“We were at Te Matatini to engage with the Māori community and you can only do that kanohi ki te kanohi,” says Rēnata Blair, ACC Deputy Chief Executive Māori.
“It’s very important we practise our tikanga (values) by being with the iwi leaders here and the Māori communities that make such a difference.”
Providing a rongoā Māori experience
Eight rongoā Māori practitioners joined us at the ACC tent each day to give an experience of traditional healing, which proved very popular with bookings full most days.
Rongoā Māori has been available through ACC as a rehabilitation option since 2020 and has now supported over 13,500 ACC kiritaki (clients) in 148,500 rongoā sessions across the motu (country).
“We want whānau to know rongoā Māori is available as an option during their pathway of care if they’re injured,” says Eldon Paea, Head of Māori Health Partnerships.
“Through their feedback, we know rongoā Māori has a place within the health system in helping our people recover.”
Rongoā Māori is available as a rehabilitation option for all New Zealanders with an accepted ACC injury claim, with around 40 per cent of those accessing our rongoā service being non-Māori.
Moana Skipwith-Lousi was one of the practitioners on site and relished the experience.
“I used to do a lot of events on my own but I’ve done a few with ACC now,” she says.
“I love the way they look after us as kaimirimiri, kairongoā (rongoā practitioners). They take really good care of us so we can take care of their clients, our whānau who attend.”
Raising awareness among whānau
Our data shows Māori are more likely to experience serious life-changing injuries but are less likely to lodge a claim with ACC compared to non-Māori.
Māori make up just over 17 per cent of the population in Aotearoa but account for only 12.5 per cent of all ACC claims.
“We know there are lots of barriers Māori face to have access to healthcare and we want to ensure Māori are aware of all the support they’re entitled to following an injury,” Rēnata says.
“Community events like Te Matatini are important for ACC as they provide a chance to kōrero and connect with whānau about our services, like rongoā Māori.
“It helps us raise awareness and build understanding around the help available through ACC and services that improve access and health outcomes for Māori.
“We believe in the kaupapa of Te Matatini and we want to tautoko (support) whānau to live well.”
