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Ohu Motuhake

Matapiata | Ora New Zealand

Published:

July 25, 2024

Donna looking at rongoā

Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi engari he toa takitini.

Although not a literal translation I consider this whakatauki a reminder that it is through our connections to each other and with our natural world that we achieve wellness and strength.

Ko Taupiri te maunga 
Ko Waikato te awa 
Ko Tainui te waka 
Ko Waikato te iwi 
Ko Ngāti Tahinga, Ngāti Mahuta ngā hapū 
Ko Weraroa, Maketu (ki Kawhia) ōku marae

Donna Kerridge (Ngāti Tahinga, Ngāti Mahuta) is the founder and director of Ora New Zealand. With a background in IT and Health Science, she is a rongoā Māori practitioner, trainer and advocate with 20+years experience.
Donna enjoys inspiring others to learn and put into practice the simple yet profound healing wisdom of our ancestors in a way that is respectful, authentic and mindful of the needs of all peoples.

She currently serves on a number of expert advisory groups representing the practice of rongoā;

  • Rongoā advisor on the University of Auckland School of Nursing Te Arai Kaumatua Advisory,
  • Kaihautū Rongoā for Nga Toki Whakarururanga, an organization established to ensure that New Zealand international trade agreements advance and protect Māori interests in accordance with the rights and responsibilities assigned under the Treaty of Waitangi.
  • Advisory Council for the Global Compassion Coalition, an organisation committed to building a world where people and planet are valued and cared for.
  • Elder Council for the Wellbeing Project, a global coalition advancing social and environmental change
  • Invited guest to the Walking Softer 2024 Global Leadership Summit

I am conscious that there is a growing number of people that want to learn about rongoā Māori and be less dependent on a pharmaceutically driven health system for results. They want to access this knowledge at a reasonably fast pace so people from all walks of life can understand and apply Māori ways of knowing, doing and being as appropriate in the circles of influence.  They want  to explore this kaupapa in an authentic way and in an environment that is welcoming and safe for all.
I am passionate when it comes to assisting others to embrace the gifts of indigenous wellness values and practices as a means for restoring balance and wellbeing in our homes, communities, and workplaces.
I have worked with thousands of individuals or organisations over the past 20 years to help them achieve outcomes they value in this space.

Ora New Zealand is an organisation that;

  • is 100% Māori owned and invests back into to the people to whom this mātauranga (knowledge) belongs through our financial support of those out there ‘doing the do’ (often under the radar and at their own financial cost) and scholarship programs
  • engages with a wide range of locally and internationally respected knowledge holders in the design and delivery of our programs, ensuring that they are acknowledged and reimbursed for their contributions.
  • Values the integrity and authenticity of knowledge shared by those who grew up living the values that are shared in our service delivery

Check out the website here – https://oranewzealand.com/

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