20 Hūrae 2026

Puangaērērē Elaine Denton 

Ngāti Haupoto, Taranaki Iwi, Rongomaiwahine 

Nurse Prescriber at Evolve Youth Wellington and Oranga Ōtaki 

Student, Heke Rongoā - Diploma in Māori Holistic Wellbeing

From an early age, I understood that my purpose in life was grounded in manaakitanga and kaitiakitanga. I have always felt called to care for others, support wellbeing, and act as a guardian of people, knowledge, and the natural world. Te taiao was my teacher, tikanga Māori kept me safe, and my mātua and kaumātua guided and supported me throughout my life journey. My formative years were spent within my mother's iwi, Rongomaiwahine, where many of my earliest lessons came not from books but from observing the rhythms of the natural world, the importance of whānau, and the values that shaped our everyday lives. Looking back, I realise how fortunate I was to be raised in an environment where tikanga and mātauranga Māori were lived and experienced.

I was drawn to the Heke Rongoā programme because I felt a need to reconnect with myself, my culture, and a deeper layer of knowledge that had always been present but was calling to be strengthened. I wanted to further develop my understanding of rongoā Māori medicine and learn from those who carried generations of mātauranga. Having heard about the Tūhoe aunties who are the pūkenga for the programme, I felt strongly guided towards Te Wānanga o Raukawa. My wairua told me that this would be a safe place for learning, growth, and healing.

A significant moment occurred on the day of the pōwhiri. As I approached the bridge into Ōtaki, a thick mist blanketed the landscape. Living nearby at Peka Peka Beach, I had never witnessed fog so dense. I experienced this as a tohu from my kaitiaki. Rather than feeling uncertain, I felt calm and reassured. To me, the mist symbolised that the healers were gathering and that I was arriving exactly where I needed to be. It confirmed that this was the right place and the right time in my life to begin this journey.

As a Nurse Prescriber with a Master of Healthcare and postgraduate clinical and pharmacology qualifications, I have studied within several Western academic environments while working full-time. These experiences strengthened my clinical reasoning and appreciation of evidence-based practice. However, Te Wānanga o Raukawa has enriched my learning journey in a unique way. Steeped in tikanga, mātauranga Māori, and kaupapa Māori values, the learning environment is highly supportive, mana-enhancing, and academically rigorous. This experience has strengthened my connection to te ao Māori, enriched my professional practice, and reinforced the contribution Rongoā Māori can make to improving health and wellbeing outcomes for whānau.

Throughout this course, I have felt supported academically, spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Te Wānanga o Raukawa has provided a mana-enriching environment that nurtures the whole person and allows learners to bring their authentic selves into the learning journey. This has been one of the most meaningful aspects of my experience. I would highly recommend this course to anyone seeking to develop a deeper understanding of the safe and appropriate application of Rongoā Māori within a supportive and culturally grounded learning environment.

The programme has strengthened my understanding of how Indigenous knowledge systems and evidence-based research can coexist and complement one another. As a health professional, I recognise the importance of informed practice and robust research. At the same time, I have become increasingly aware that Indigenous ways of knowing have often been undervalued within Western systems. This learning journey has reinforced my commitment to contributing to the growing body of Indigenous scholarship and supporting the advancement of rongoā Māori through both mātauranga Māori and research.

In my professional practice, I work predominantly across taha tinana and taha hinengaro, while holding deep respect for the importance of taha wairua and taha whānau in achieving true wellness. My approach is guided by Te Pae Mahutonga and its principles of Mauriora, Waiora, Toiora, Te Oranga, Ngā Manukura, and Te Mana Whakahaere. These principles continue to shape my understanding of hauora and my responsibility to contribute positively to the wellbeing of whānau and communities.

One of the most significant outcomes of this course has been the awakening of my mauri and the reaffirmation of my future aspirations. The learning has reignited my desire to continue my academic journey through doctoral study. It has strengthened my commitment to becoming a contributor to Indigenous health research, advancing kaupapa that support Māori wellbeing, and advocating for greater recognition of mātauranga Māori within health policy, education, and practice.

This journey has reminded me that learning is not solely about gaining knowledge; it is also about reconnecting with identity, purpose, and whakapapa. Through Heke Rongoā at Te Wānanga o Raukawa, I have deepened my understanding of rongoā Māori, strengthened my cultural foundations, and reawakened a passion for lifelong learning. Most importantly, it has reinforced my commitment to walking a path of manaakitanga and kaitiakitanga in service of our people, our culture, and future generations.

He taonga rongonui te aroha ki te tangata - 

Goodwill towards others is a precious gift

If you would like to know more about the Heke Rongoā programme, visit Heke Rongoā - Diploma in Māori Holistic Wellbeing