A beginner's intro to Māori spiritual healing
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In the quiet spaces of Aotearoa’s forests and rivers, a different kind of healing has always existed: one that listens to the soul before the body. Māori spiritual healing is not a quick fix or a trend. It’s a deeply rooted, ancestral way of restoring balance within a person and between people, land, and spirit.
For those beginning their journey into te ao Māori (the Māori worldview), this guide offers a gentle doorway. Here is how Māori spiritual healing works and why it matters now more than ever.
Foundations of Māori spiritual healing
Wairua (spirit)
At the heart of Māori healing is wairua, the spirit or soul. When the wairua is disturbed (by grief, trauma, disconnection, or illness) the body, mind, and emotions are affected. Healing begins by clearing and strengthening the wairua, allowing the person to feel whole again.
Whakapapa (genealogy)
Whakapapa links us to our ancestors, our descendants, and the land. In Māori healing, you're never treated in isolation. Your story is part of a long, interconnected thread, and acknowledging that thread can bring deep spiritual insight and healing.
Tapu and Noa
Tapu is sacredness or restriction, while noa is the state of being neutral, ordinary, or free. Illness and imbalance are often viewed as a disturbance in these states. Healing helps to restore harmony between the sacred and the everyday.
Traditional Māori healing modalities
👐 1. Mirimiri and Romiromi
These are traditional Māori bodywork techniques for restoring spiritual, emotional, and physical wellbeing. Mirimiri is gentle, rhythmic bodywork that calms the nervous system, soothes emotions, and invites the wairua back into alignment. It’s often accompanied by karakia (prayer) and focuses not just on muscle tension, but on releasing spiritual and emotional burdens.
Romiromi is deeper and more intense. Using pressure points, breath, vibration, and occasionally stones or tools, the healer works to release trauma stored in the bones and organs. It’s a sacred practice requiring years of cultural training. Many people describe it as a transformative experience that unlocks long-held emotional pain.
🙏 2. Karakia (spiritual chants or prayers)
Karakia are a cornerstone of Māori healing. These sacred chants are spoken or sung to:
Call in spiritual protection (atua).
Set a clear and respectful intention.
Clear energy from people and places.
Close the session with balance and gratitude.
Karakia are traditionally spoken in te reo Māori and carry deep ancestral power. They connect the physical and spiritual realms and are used before entering sacred spaces, harvesting plants, or beginning healing work.
🌿 3. Rongoā Māori (traditional herbal medicine)
Plants in Māori healing are more than just remedies; they are ancestors and spiritual allies. Rongoā is most powerful when combined with mirimiri and karakia. The three modalities work in harmony to treat the whole person. The key principles are:
Plants are harvested only with karakia and respect for their mauri (life force).
Healing addresses not only the body, but also mind and spirit.
Each plant has a specific whakapapa and function.
Some common plants used:
Kawakawa: for bruises, digestion, and spiritual cleansing.
Harakeke (flax): for skin care and sacred rituals.
Mānuka: for wounds and immune support.
Koromiko: for internal cleansing and balance.
👣 4. Tohunga (spiritual experts and healers)
Tohunga are the deeply respected knowledge holders of Māori tradition. Their expertise may lie in healing, divination, navigation, or carving. But those who heal have trained for years under elders and ancestral guidance. In a healing context, a tohunga may:
Read energy imbalances or ancestral unrest.
Prescribe spiritual, emotional, or herbal remedies.
Lead karakia or refer to other practitioners.
Tohunga honour tikanga, the correct spiritual and cultural protocols. And some now work alongside psychologists, doctors, and counsellors to bridge worlds.
Spiritual dimensions & modern relevance
Māori spiritual healing offers a pathway for healing deep trauma and disconnection. At its core, the healing process restores wairua (spirit) and mauri (life force), especially when they have been weakened or blocked. A reconnection to whenua (the land), which is seen as a living ancestor, is also a key part of this journey. Healing often takes place in natural environments like rivers, forests, or coastal areas, where the spiritual and physical worlds are in harmony.
In today’s world, many Māori healers blend these ancestral methods with contemporary tools such as counselling, mindfulness, and trauma-informed care. This evolution keeps the cultural integrity intact while making healing more accessible and relevant. Increasingly, both Māori and non-Māori are seeking these approaches not only for physical or emotional wellbeing but to reconnect with the deeper layers of self, spirit, and place.
Conclusion
Māori spiritual healing is something to experience with reverence. It’s a journey inward, guided by ancestors, land, and sacred tradition. Could the answers you’ve been seeking come from the wisdom of those who walked before you?
If this introduction sparked curiosity, explore healing experiences during your travels or seek local practitioners open to cultural exchange. Wairua is always ready to guide.
About the author: Thaíz Lara is the creator behind New Hermits, a New Zealand-based storyteller who believes in the power of story and soul-filled travel. After living in 5 countries and exploring 60, she has come to understand that the most meaningful journeys often begin within. Learn more about Lara.
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A beginner’s guide to Māori spiritual healing — explore sacred methods like mirimiri, karakia, and rongoā to reconnect with your spirit and the land.