THESIS: He Kākano Ahau: Exploring Everyday Engagement with Rongoā Māori and Well-Being

Rongoā Māori is a holistic healing system based on traditional Māori beliefs and values. Although New Zealanders use rongoā to tend to health and well-being, it extends beyond this as a way of living in balance and connection to the world. Research about rongoā Māori has increased in recent years. However, the perspectives and voices of those who utilise rongoā Māori practices are currently limited in the literature. In addition, there is a lack of research into how New Zealanders utilise rongoā Māori practices in their everyday lives and the contribution of rongoā engagement to well-being. The current study explored the relationship between rongoā Māori engagement and dimensions of well-being as encompassed by Te Whare Tapa Whā. Two hundred and seventy-four participants took part in an online questionnaire that measured physical, psychological, social, and spiritual well-being and included open-ended questions for participants to provide their perspectives. The findings indicate that rongoā Māori engagement contributes to improved hauora, with significant findings for psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions of well-being. In particular, the relationship between rongoā Māori engagement and spiritual well-being was prominent and highly significant. This study also illustrated the significance that rongoā Māori has to the lives of New Zealanders beyond these aspects of well-being, contributing to enhanced connections to the natural world and cultural identity. These findings contribute to the sparse literature on rongoā Māori engagement and well-being and promote a holistic preventative approach to health and well-being in Aotearoa New Zealand.