Heke Rongoā

The purpose of the Heke Rongoā is to provide whānau, hapū and iwi with rongoā advisors who are able to contribute to the reclamation, preservation, revitalisation and expansion of hapū and iwi health and wellbeing practices through the study and application of rongoā. This includes the principles and tikanga of rongoā; rongoā specific research techniques; Māori models of health and wellbeing, iwi and hapū knowledge and te reo Māori.
This qualification is intended for those with an interest in rongoā knowledge and application as well as te reo Māori and iwi and hapū studies. It is most suitable for those who wish to contribute to the health and wellbeing of their whānau, hapū and iwi.
Graduates will be able to advance the understanding and promotion of hapū and iwi rongoā practice, good health and long-term sustainable wellbeing for whānau, hapū and iwi. They will be suitable for rongoā advisor positions and other similar roles that seek to promote and enhance the wellbeing of whānau, hapū and iwi.
The combination of beginner to intermediate level rongoā knowledge and skills, te reo Māori ability and established relationships with kaumātua, marae and hapū will position the graduate to work effectively with whānau and hapū to contribute to the survival of Māori as a people.

Te Wānanga o Raukawa is a tikanga Māori tertiary education provider with its main campus based in Ōtaki, Aotearoa, New Zealand. Hailed at the time as the 'smallest university in the world' Te Wānanga o Raukawa was established by the Raukawa Marae Trustees in 1981 with only two students. 

 A special and unique place of learning, Te Wānanga o Raukawa has become recognised over the last 30 years as an opportunity for all to learn within a tikanga Māori community under the principles of the iwi development strategy, Whakatupuranga Rua Mano: Generation 2000.

Whakatupuranga Rua Mano captured the health and wellbeing aspirations of the ART Confederation of Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Te Ati Awa ki Whakarongotai and Ngāti Raukawa ki te tonga in the lower North Island of Aotearoa. These are the founding iwi of Te Wānanga o Raukawa.