Meet Kawakawa
An introduction to Rongoā
Ko Wai Au?
Ko Te Tāhūhū o Haokitaha te maunga
Ko Te Tōtara te awa
Ko Te Tōtara te Marae
Ko Te Puhi o Mātaatua te wharenui
Ko Ruatoki te wharekai
Ko Te Arohana te tangata rongonui
Ko Te Urewera te hapu
Ko Ngāi Tūhoe te iwi
No Ruātoki te whanau
No Pōneke ahau
Ko Teina Morehu tōku ingoa
Mihimihi
Ka mihi maioha ki ngā pou rongoā i tuku mai te mātauranga me ngā taonga tuku iho e pā ana te rongoā māori. Nā koutou i tipu te kākano ki roto i tōku ngakau. Nā koutou i whāngai te māra i roto i tōku pūmanawa. Nā koutou i tuwhera te whatumanawa, kātahi ko hononga te ao wairua, te ao tāwhito, te ao kikokiko, me te ao tūroa. Nā koutou pou rongoā ko te manaaki ngā tangata katoa ki te ako rongoā māori, ā, ka puāwai ngā kairongoā. Kei te mihi, kei te mihi, kei te mihi ki a koutou.
Nōku noa,
Nā Teina Morehu
My Connection to Kawakawa
She was given as a gift from Io Matua Kore to Papatuanuku to help heal her broken heart. The rau are shaped in the form of a heart to show Papa that aroha. When Ranginui's heart is breaking for his wife then his tears spread across Papa and in turn, nourishes her too. The Kawakawa then absorbed that love from Rangi and can be seen in the glow that comes from her. That energy can be seen in the colour of her rau. Spiritually it can be felt in the energy she gives through the love you feel when you are around her. If you walk past this rākau you can't help but stop and be happy in that space.
Physically her Mauri makes you want to reach out and touch her, to make the connection in the same way you would hongi as a form of hariru. She makes your energy come alive which in turn makes the body react physically. There is a bounce in your step. Which in turn lifts the hinengaro, it makes you feel lighter. Furthermore, it connects to the wairua which brings love, happiness, and balance. Your intention is so important when harvesting as it is intertwined with the mauri of the rākau.
That is her Mauri, that is her aroha, that is her mana. When the Kawakawa healed Papatuanuku she healed her with the love of Io Matua Kore and Ranginui. And to this day she continues to do so. That glow you see is straight from Io Matua Kore. The Kawakawa is not just our tuakana she is the matamua for us all. She stands in her own mana as a kaitiaki to all.
Harvesting and Tikanga
Firstly to be sustainable is to karakia and ask permission from our kaitiaki if we are allowed to harvest for that rākau and why you need that rākau. This (to me) means you will be guided to the rākau that will allow you to harvest from it. Before harvesting you must always acknowledge ngā Atua, ngā kaitiaki and the mana of the rākau you are taking from.
It is important to harvest at the correct times and conditions, such as mornings in warm temperatures when their mauri is at its best. Also from the rākau that is well established in growth and not struggling to thrive is limiting conditions. Only take what you need and never take more than the rākau can give (as in leave her plentiful). Remember to mihi to her after harvesting and mihi to ngā atua me ngā kaitiaki hoki for the gifts you have been given.
Properties of Kawakawa
Kawakawa has many healing properties so these are just a few of the ones that I can think of at this present time. The healing qualities of this rākau are many and all parts of the rākau can be used in some form of healing.
Spiritually kawakawa is used in tangihanga as easy grief and whakawatea the space. Looking at that in a physical projection, Kawakawa is used to heal physical pain connecting to the tinana such as arthritis, toothache, digestive issues. The leaves can be drank as a tea to help calm a upset puku or to open up the respiratory system for issues like asthma. It can work in unison with other rākau like kumarahou for issues relating to bronchitis. Kawakawa can help with bad breath by chewing the stems of the branches or chewing the fruit.
This was also how our ancestors cleaned their teeth. The branches where also used to keep insects away by throwing them in the open fire. Furthermore you can also rub the leaves on the tinana as an insect repellent (or make a pain).
The dried leaves can be burnt and used to cleanse our tinana, spaces that need clearing such as rooms around the house. The leaves can be made into a poultice to draw out any raru within the tinana. Externally Kawakawa can be used to heal skin conditions such as eczema or itchy skin.
Kawakawa- Macropiper Excelsum - Pepper Tree
Kawakawa stands about 4-6 metres tall and has many branches rather than a thick trunk. Each branch produces many heart shaped leaves. Each rau have strong vein which can be seen running long the rau. The branches have knuckles and are a dark brown colour. Each rau have a deep pounamu colour. There are a male and female species of Kawakawa. It is the female that produces a beautiful orange berry. The berry is long and oval in shape and made up of small seeds that fuse together. The leaves can be found with holes in them which is made by the looper caterpillar.
