Rongoā Māori

Traditional Māori Medicine

Rongoā is like the Karanga, which you first hear on the Marae.

You will feel the call within your heart and know when to start your healing journey. - Carmel Cochrane

Traditional Māori Healing has been handed down within whānau through many generations. This ancient pathway assists in re-aligning your mind, body, and spirit—Mauri Life force, Wairua Spirit, Tapu Natural Sacred Law, and Whakapapa Genealogy.

This ancient lore encompasses many elements from Karakia's prayer to bless and protect you. Mirimiri massage to soothe and heal your body. Whitiwhiti kōrero support and advice with problems you are facing. Mahu Wairua Energy healing to release deep-seated traumas or pain within the body. Rongoā Rakau Herbal medicines are prescribed to bring balance to the body.

Carmel Cochrane - ACC Verified Rongoā Vendor

Carmel specialises in treating clients with Sensitive claims or those who suffer from PTSD, depression, and anxiety.

The Rongoā modalities Carmel works with are:

  • Whitiwhiti Kōrero talking

  • Mahu Wairua clearing energy healing the effects of inter-generational trauma.

  • Honohono energy healing for all of your being.

  • Te hau healing breathwork, handed down from within Carmel’s whānau, to regulate your nervous system.

  • Rongoā Rakau herbal medicine for you tinana/body

  • Waewae Mirimiri foot massage clears the ancestral trauma, reduces inflammation, and treats the whole body.

  • Māhuna Mirimiri head massage assists with sleep issues, vagus nerve overload, and feelings of overwhelm by releasing tension in the neck, head, shoulders, and arms.


If you are looking for full-body mirimiri or Romiromi, then Carmel is not the practitioner for you, but she can recommend other ACC Rongoā providers who offer full mirimiri.

If you want to know what is behind your injury and have tried everything, she can help you from a Te Ao Māori perspective, which is all part of Rongoā.

At Manaaki Wellbeing, we want to help you recover if you have had an accident or were injured, are struggling with PTSD or mental health issues, or need help with your Sensitive claims.

ACC Referral pathway:

  • You will need to have a current ACC claim for your current injury to access Rongoā Māori Services.

  • If you haven’t got a claim for your injury, you can see your GP to get your ACC Claim number.

  • You can also visit your physiotherapist, osteopath, or chiropractor to include our services in your treatment plan.

  • If you’re already receiving counselling under a sensitive claims, you can also request that our services be added.

  • You will need to obtain a Purchase Order Number from ACC to use Rongoā Māori Services

  • Contact ACC directly:

  • Ph 0800 222 435 ext. 13for Sensitive Claims (You can get your therapist to help you)

  • Ph 0800 222 435 ext. 12 – for Physical Injuries

  • Or email: claims@acc.co.nz

You’ll need to provide the following details:

Vendor Number ID: VBA217

Service Code: MBTH10 In-person services

                        MBTH10T Telehealth services

Then you can use our online booking system to make your appointment.

You can use our 24/7 online booking system to make a booking, provided you have your purchase order number.

Please note that we charge a surcharge of:

$60 for 60-minute In-clinic or Telehealth sessions

$30 for 30-minute In-clinic or Telehealth Sessions.

Surcharges are based solely on the practitioner’s running costs of their practice.


If you can pay it forward, so someone doesn’t have to pay their top-up fee or treatment, that would make someone’s day!

NIB Health Insurance

You will need to contact NIB Health to find out if your Health policy covers you for Rongoā Treatment.

Log in to your My NIB portal: https://mynib.co.nz/. Our NIB Code is 313183


Southern Cross Health Insurance

They will cover you for Rongoā Health treatments. If you have a HealthEssentials plan, you are entitled to $250 annually to cover the cost of your Rongoā Healing treatment with Carmel. 



“Mā te Atua me te nagro tātou e tiaki e manaaki”

“May God and the origins of which all things come from bless and keep us.”