Wairaakau Flora Horopito

Horopito: Pseudowintera axillaris Pepper tree

Skin: Wounds, rashes, sores, psoriasis, eczema, burns and boils – Chew leaf use as a poultice, bruise leaves soak in water or use sap as a wash, inner bark boiled apply warm to burns

Muscles: Cramps in legs, feet and arms - make hot tea with leaves or bark

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Digestive: chronic or acute stomach problems, diarrhoea - boil inner bark and drink as a hot/cold tea or with fruit juice

nBlood: Anaemia – boil inner bark use as hot/cold tea or with fruit juice

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Lungs: asthma, in the recovery of  fevers, colds, flu, inflammation, bronchitis and pneumonia – use as above

nBrain: headaches – cold tea or with fruit juice

Pain reliever: has sedative effect – hot/cold tea or with fruit juice

Wairaakau Flora Houhere

Houhere: Houheria populnea Lacebark or ribbon wood

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Has the same elements as slippery elm
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Skin: eczema, psoriasis, scabies, abscesses and tumours (anti-inflammatory) – soak bark in water, use as a wash or lotion or tease out ribbon wood jackets use as a poultice/dressing

nMuscles: muscle, joint pain and swelling – prepare as above

nDigestive and Bowel Syndrome: ulcers (soothing agent) protects the mucous membranes and relieves irritation in the bowel - soak bark in cold water, have as a cold drink

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Detoxifier: makes you sweat when you drink it –prepare as above

Wairaakau Flora Karamu

Let us learn from each other and share our thoughts and knowledge with each other.

Warning: Only positive and constructive comments will only be posted on

waitapuretreat@gmail.com with the writers permission

However, if you do the Rongoa Maori Courses that I have at Waitapu Retreat, then you will learn so much more than what you can read in a book, see on Telvision, read or watch over the internet, or just choosing a Native plant to grow in you garden. You will learn and experience "Taha Wairua" (the World of both Physical and Spiritual Connections and Mauri Ora (Wellness of the life forces) connecting with you personally.

Karamu: Coprosma robusta

A Highly Spiritual Plant as a medium to spiritual powers

Bones: Warm poultices to sooth broken bones (only if skin not broken)

Muscles: Cold poultices to sooth aching and painful muscles

Skin: Boil the leaves let everything cool down then use as cool
wash for festered sores

Kidney and bladder: Boil the leaves and drink the juice this acts
as a diuretic

Lungs: Boil leaves and branches then drink as a tonic for coughs and colds

Pancreas: Place leaves in boiling water in a cup cover the cup for
20 minutes then drink the juice Great for Diabetes, a
natural sweetener, helps with blood sugars

Two Healing professionals, one Vision

Where the bush-clad slopes of the Brynderwyns sweep up from the valley below, a clear stream of pure water cascades down over rocks and pebbles. Fjord this stream just outside of Mangawhai and you enter Waitapu, a retreat from the stress and worry of the outside world.

It is in this private and peaceful place that Susan Matheson and Tahe Hollis practice their respective arts. The pair has over a decade of experience working together, but they emphasise that theirs are still two separate practices - though some of their clients may find great benefits from consulting with both Susan and Tahe separately. Eight years ago Waitapu was founded as the perfect location to encapsulate and surround the healing process, and it is certainly a place that resonates with peace and wellbeing.

Tahe’s practice is founded on the knowledge and wisdom, which is part of our nation’s history and heritage of traditional Maori healing. This is informed by many years practice as a Registered Nurse and qualifications in both worlds.  Tahe draws on traditional Maori medicine from New Zealand native flora, sourcing some locally and carefully cultivated at Waitapu itself. This wealth of knowledge goes back generations. It links into the growing world wide recognition of the healing power of natural medicines. The foundation of her work is “Te Taha Wairua” ‘the world of inter-connections’, which is a holistic approach of bringing all living things together. Te Taha Wairua is unique to New Zealand although similar traditions may be found in other indigenous cultures around the world.

Tahe believes that one person’s healing experience, helps to heal and strengthen their whole whakapapa, a belief which Susan definitely shares! In the spirit of this realisation Tahe provides Mentoring, Teaching and acts as a Consultant to promote Maori Culture and Values.

Tahe has been running courses at Waitapu and small workshops for local community groups and schools on Rongoa Maori for several a years now. Propagation is part of the three day Introductory Course. This skill allows everyone to grow their own Wairākau (Maori Medicine) because “Fresh is Best”.

Susan, a Registered Psychotherapist and Counsellor, meets with people from all walks of life, age and gender. She is trained in Psychosynthesis, which addresses the spectrum of human experience, going beyond the symptoms. Susan works with the person as a whole, helping them access their own inherent healing processes and in so doing their life experience is enriched.

A dedicated professional, she also works for SOS Kaipara in Dargaville and  Mangawhai.  offering free counselling and support to women and children who have experienced family and sexual violence. Other services Susan provides in her private practice are Counselling, Mentoring and Supervision for a range of professionals and people working in the community.