The benefits to general practice of a genuine partnership with Rongoā

The presentation describes a model of partnership with Iwi-backed traditional Māori medicine and the benefits demonstrated at multiple levels for both the practice and the community. 

Leanne is joined by Rob McGowan, JP, QSM, more often known as Pa Rotata. Rob lives in Welcome Bay, Tauranga. His home town is Whanganui, and it was the kaumatua from the Whanganui River, Te Awa Tupua, where he was taught the foundation of much of what he knows with respect to rongoā. .

For many years he was a Catholic priest, a member of the Society of Mary (Marists) and worked mostly with Māori pastoral, care, in Whanganui, Hawkes Bay and the Bay of Plenty, before retiring from the ministry in 1989. Since then he worked for the Tauranga Moana Trust Board, and the Centre for Continuing Education at the University of Waikato.,

He worked for Nga Whenua Rahui for many years, as Amo Aratu, working throughout Aotearoa supporting and advising Māori landowners in caring for their whenua. Before that he worked for the continuing Education Department at Waikato University.

He is officially “retired” but fully involved in many projects throughout the country: His biggest mahi is Tiwaiwaka,(www.tiwaiwaka.nz) a movement to care for the mauri of the whenua, as encompassed in the whakatuakī: “Ka ora te whenua, ka ora te tangata).

He is much involved in helping to ensure the mātauranga and practice of rongoā Māori continues to be passed on.

As the founding Chair and current patron of the Kaimai-Mamaku Catchments Forum/Manaaki Kaimai Mamaku, (www.manaakikaimai-mamaku.org.nz)

He has also provided input into aspects of intellectual property issues relating to the Waitangi Tribunal’s Wai 262 report and served as a rongoā Māori advisor to numerous Government committees, Māori tribal authorities

and for a number of rongoā Māori related research and education initiatives.

He is much involved in helping to build a bridge between Western Science and Matauranga Māori (traditional Māori knowledge) in conservation management.

Rob is one of the founders of Tane’s Tree Trust and a current Trustee .(www.tanestrees.org.nz)

Rob has been a long-time member of the Bay of Plenty Conservation Board and past Chairman.