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Story: Rongoā – medicinal use of plants

Mary Joseph Aubert’s medicine

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Mary Joseph Aubert’s medicine

Paramo was one type of medicine produced by the Catholic nun Mary Joseph (Suzanne) Aubert. She used a mix of western and Māori knowledge to create her products. All had Māori-sounding names, such as Karana, Marupa, Natanata, Wanena, Hapete, Romino and Kekako.

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Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Reference: F.004583/06

Permission of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Rhys Jones, Rongoā – medicinal use of plants – The impact of colonisation, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/ephemera/14605/mary-joseph-auberts-medicine (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Rhys Jones, published 2 March 2009.