A traditional Maori healing practitioner believes Maori herbal medicines should be safeguarded by new Ministry of Health guidelines.
The ministry is in the process of updating the 1999 standards, with public consultation on the new Rongoa Tikanga standards under way.
Traditional healer Awhitia Mihaere says tohunga, or healers, already follow high standards, and that the Ministry of Health guidelines must be aligned with them.
Ms Mihaere wants assurance rongoa Maori, or herbal Maori medicines, will be protected and accessible for generations to come.
The public has until 23 August to make submissions on the new standards, which are voluntary and expected to be published by November.
