Inaugural ACC Rongoa Maori Conference 22-23 May 2024
Robin and Jess attended the Conference. Jess provides us with her reflections on the Conference.
Robin's Rongoa colleagues from Te Ware Teatea Hauora including Keri Tait, Joseph Hicks, Piripi Morunga who presented at the AcNZ Conference in 2022 and Kaiako Ruatau Perez, met us at the centre. Ruatau trained for many years with Tuhunga Papa Joe Delamere, and is currently working on the ACC Rongoa panel.
The opening ceremony was wonderful, followed by Eldon Paes's short presentation on how Rongoa has been incorporated into ACC. This has occurred over the last few years where there was an inquiry in 2019 which showed that there was as lack of trust of the system lack of access, and a lack of culturally safe care This led to Rongoa being put forward and by 2021 the Rongoa Maori service team was established. By 2022 the Rongoa Wellbeing service for ACC was up and running and bringing on Kaimahi. Now in 2024 the first ACC Rongoa conference has been established which saw approximately 200 Rongoa practitioners along with approximately 200 health general and allied health practitioners from primary and attend.
Following was a brilliant presentation from Ropata (Rob) McGowan. As a keynote speaker he brought forth that all life from the tinniest of things such as microbes, must all be taken care of, as survival depends on it. One statement he made which stuck with me was that 'Hopelessness can be a contagion, but hope is a powerful Rongoa.' More from Rob McGowan be be found here.
After lunch I listen to Tau Huirama on his introduction to his book, 'Walking with Tupuna'', a brilliant listen, for more information on his book go to https://walkingwithtupuna.nz/. Robin went to Donna Kerridge's presentation. Donna is a well respected practitioner, teacher, author and advocate who was working on the NZSATCM advisory committee from 2018-20220. Dona is currently offering an online Rongoa program, more information can be found at https://www.oraonline.nz/ (please note that this course does not give a formal qualification to become a practitioner but it is for those with an interest in the healing practices of Rongoa)
We heard from Dr Annabel Ahuriri-Driscoll, Dr Erena Wikaire and Nghihi o te ra Bidois, then ended the day with a great discussion with two Allied Health Aotearoa associates from Massage therapy NZ and then a fantastic performance by a Rotorua Kapahaka group. We were also able to reconnect with Teremoana Metuamate and Kylie Bryant form ACC who gave a presentation on the ACC Cultural Safety Policy at the AcNZ Conference 2023.
Day 2 saw the day opening with Kingi Biddle and Á sense of Tumour' on his discovery and journey from spinal tumors. We then heard from the members of the ACC Rongoa Maori Advisory panel. Following this I listened into Jo Murray from Te Hiku Rongoa Maori Collective and fellow far north community leaders on addressing inequities in the far north.
