Te Waka o Matariki, at 167 Cambridge Road in Hillcrest, Hamilton, is a whānau of rongoā Māori practitioners offering traditional Māori healing. Its practitioners build a personal care plan that can include rongoā rākau (herbal remedies), mirimiri (light tissue massage), romiromi (deep tissue massage) and whitiwhiti kōrero (teaching and support). Some therapies are given through clothing and others skin to skin with oil. The practice also offers a therapy that combines acupressure, reflexology and wairua. It takes referrals from ACC, Te Whatu Ora mental health services and Oranga Tamariki, and the website says ACC rongoā sessions are fully funded with no surcharge. Opening hours are Monday to Friday, 9am to 10pm, and Saturday and Sunday by appointment. Phone 021 0253 5267 or email tewakaomatariki@outlook.com.
Customers mention the welcoming, supportive environment, the relaxing massage and a kawakawa poultice. One reviewer says the sessions gave them support through recovery. Another describes an appointment with a practitioner who explained everything in detail and gave a relaxing massage. One reviewer has decided not to apply for more ACC sessions. The nearest other massage therapist, Caroline Daly Massage Therapy, 0.4 km away, rates lower. Our pick in Hillcrest for rongoā Māori with ACC support.