Rongoā Māori practitioners

Kandace Smiler is a qualified Rongoā Māori practitioner and health coach with a deep commitment to restoring mauri ora (holistic wellbeing) through traditional Māori healing practices. As the founder of Whakapakari Ora Wahine Wellness and Whakapakari Ora Tapui Ltd, she brings over a decade of experience in indigenous health, mātauranga Māori, and trauma-informed support.

Fluent in English and incorporating foundational te reo Māori, Kandace offers services that include Mirimiri (traditional therapeutic bodywork), Rongoā Rākau (plant-based medicine), Whakawhiti Kōrero (therapeutic dialogue), and Karakia (spiritual prayer and guidance). Her therapeutic approach weaves together clinical insight with tikanga Māori, focusing on empowerment, tino rangatiratanga (self-determination), and cultural reconnection.

Her work spans across community, corporate, and clinical environments, and she is known for her gentle, mana-enhancing facilitation style—whether in wāhine-focused wānanga or mobile wellness clinics. Kandace is passionate about reclaiming indigenous health sovereignty, protecting taonga species (native plants), and fostering intergenerational healing for whānau Māori and their allies.

Te Ara Teatea Trust - Traditional Māori Health and Wellbeing

Empowering people with wisdom and tools from our ancient traditions, to connect, to heal and to access the source of their true potential.

What we offer: Mirimiri and romiromi are traditional Māori healing modalities that are used to whakatau/calm the tinana/body, hinengaro/mind, mauri/lifeforce and wairua/spirit. We shift trapped energies that may be causing pain and discomfort.

My name is Kolotita Sulia Tuatau, more widely known as Sulia and the name of my practice is Io Olaga. I mahi in Rongoā Māori empowering people to connect back with their bodies. I have done this mahi for the last 11 years and became ACC registered in 2023.

I specialise in Mirimiri, Komiri, Purea, Taulasea – Fofo for grief, trauma, and pain.

Ko Symonde Laugesen tōku ingoa

Ngā uri ō Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Koata, Ngāti Rarua, Ngāti Tumatakokiri me Rangitāne ōku iwi

No Kaikōura ahau

My journey with Rongoā and mirimiri began in childhood, guided by the wāhine toa in my whānau. I learned about native plants from my grandparents, traditional cooking from my Taua, and was supported along the way by knowledgeable Rongoā holders. These early experiences shaped my passion for holistic wellbeing.

At 40, I pursued formal study in health and sport science, eventually opening Te Whare Wairua with my sister and aunty, and later my own practice, Te Mātauranga o Humarie. Over nine years, I offered mirimiri and deepened my skills through courses in herbalism, lomi lomi, and Māori wellbeing. After closing the shop, I continued healing work from home and in the community.

Today, I’m an ACC-accredited Rongoā practitioner at Rehua Marae and with the NZ Royal Commission, supporting survivors and teaching others. Mirimiri remains my greatest passion, and this work continues to bring deep purpose and connection to my life.