Rongoā Māori Services

Whenua Healing · Ōpōtiki

Rongoā Māori healing, funded by ACC

There's no cost to you. If you've been injured and have an ACC claim, ACC may pay for your rongoā Māori sessions with Tohunganui Elaine.

  • ACC-approved Rongoā Māori provider
  • No cost to you
  • We reply within two working days
  • Held in tikanga Māori

He aha kei roto · What a session can include

Shaped around you and your injury

Bodywork

Mirimiri

Traditional Māori massage and bodywork for the area of your injury.

Plant healing

Rongoā rākau

Healing from our native plants, prepared on our whenua.

Prayer

Karakia

To open and close our time together, held with care.

Kōrero

Whitiwhiti kōrero

Time to talk, to be heard and to settle.

Kua whakaurua · Included

Wai, mahana, hā · Water, warmth and breath

As part of your ACC session, and at no extra cost to you, your rongoā can include time in water and warmth to help your body let go.

Mirimiri session by candlelight with ferns and rongoā rākau
Two wāhine relaxing in the outdoor rongoā bath

Kaukau Rongoā · Rongoā Bath

A warm, restorative woodfired bath for deep relaxation, sore joints and muscles. Balance restored through wai (water), ahi (fire) and whenua (earth).

Under the outdoor rongoā shower

Uwhiuwhi Rongoā · Rongoā Shower

A gentle Mānuka and Kānuka hydrosol misting cleanse to settle the nervous system, soothe sensitive skin and bring purea, a cleansing of the wairua.

Slow breathing in warm red light

Rehua · Breath and warmth

A guided rongoā breathwork session with karakia, held in the gentle warmth of our infrared sauna and followed by a rongoā shower. Rehua is the star of summer heat, who brings warmth and healing.

Ko wai · Who can come

Anyone with an accepted ACC claim

If ACC has accepted your claim for an injury, such as a sprain, a back or neck injury, or a hand, shoulder or ankle injury, you may be able to come to us.

ACC funds rongoā for your covered injury only.

Not sure if you're eligible?

Flick us a text and we'll walk you through it, including the ACC part if you need a hand.

Text 027 696 2156

Me pēhea te tīmata · How to get started

Three simple steps

  1. 1

    Call ACC

    Ask for rongoā Māori sessions with Whenua Healing.

    0800 101 996
    claims@acc.co.nz

  2. 2

    Give them these details

    • Your ACC claim number
    • Whenua Healing, Vendor ID: VBL656
    • For a birth injury, also Provider ID: PAT274
  3. 3

    We'll be in touch

    Once ACC says yes, we'll contact you within two working days to book your first session. Most kiritaki hear from us by text.

Tohunganui Elaine holding her newborn son close, cheek to cheek

Mō ngā māmā · Healing after birth

Rongoā support for māmā

As a māmā myself, I have experienced maternal birth injuries sustained from caesarean birth and a prolonged labour damaging my coccyx. I understand how birth-related injury can affect not only the body, but confidence, movement, comfort, intimacy, sleep, and the way you feel within yourself.
Tohunganui Elaine

If you were injured giving birth, such as a serious tear, a pelvic floor injury or an injury to your tailbone, and ACC has accepted your birth injury claim, your rongoā is funded by ACC.

Sessions are gentle, trauma-informed and shaped to where you are in your healing. They can include mirimiri, Mānuka hydrosol and oil, whitiwhiti kōrero, and the rongoā bath or shower when the time is right.

If there are signs of infection, severe pain or urgent symptoms, I will always encourage you to see your doctor or midwife alongside your rongoā.

Text 027 696 2156

Kōrero mai · Get in touch

Text or call Tohunganui Elaine

027 696 2156

whenuahealing@gmail.com · Whenua Healing, 159 Church Street, Ōpōtiki

For health professionals and referrers

Whenua Healing is an ACC-approved Rongoā Māori provider. Referrals are accepted from GPs, midwives and LMCs, nurses, physiotherapists, other rehabilitation providers, ACC case managers and navigators, and self-referral. Vendor ID VBL656 · Maternal Birth Injury Provider ID PAT274. We respond to referrals within two business days.

Maternal Birth Injury service codes
  • RS01 Individual Rongoā Māori support: whakawhanaungatanga, whitiwhiti kōrero, mirimiri / maimoatanga, hōmiri
  • RS02 Wānanga: group sessions, up to 8 participants
  • RS03 Telehealth: phone or video, up to 8 hours per client
  • RS04 Rongoā Māori Assessment (ACC8427): assessment, progress and requests for more services
  • RS01, RS02 and RS03 can't be invoiced concurrently. Services must relate directly to the covered birth injury.