Jolie Davis, founder of Manawa Ora Mirimiri & Workshops has a long history as a respected Kaimirimiri (practitioner of Mirimiri; traditional Māori bodywork and healing).
Formerly a trained nurse, Jolie spent some time working in mainstream healthcare before returning to her traditional roots. Her journey began when she received Mirimiri treatment as a young mother struggling to find peace with her past. She learned that without personal healing for herself, her pain would likely be passed on to the next generation. This was her first lesson in Mirimiri and Romiromi.
That event was the beginning of her journey, over 20 years ago.
Now an experienced practitioner specialising in pain, injuries, chronic conditions and trauma - “these are the people who have always ended up on my doorstep” – Jolie has carved a role for herself as a vocal educator and champion of Māori knowledge and practices, which she laments have sadly been lost over successive generations.
“People are no longer satisfied with medical-only or clinical solutions. Maori knowledge, Rongoā Māori and traditional practices are experiencing a revitalisation, as is indigenous knowledge worldwide. People are looking for what works - and like myself 20 years ago - seeking healing and transformation.
Jolie now works with people looking to reclaim their own health and wellness, who have turned to traditional knowledge for the answers:
Jolie’s no-nonsense approach and down to earth personality is appreciated by the many individuals who have learned or experienced authentic Mirimiri treatment with her as their guide. She is quick to point out the misinterpretation of Mirimiri as merely massage:
“I’ve made it my mission to educate people on not only what Mirimiri is but what it isn’t”.
Jolie is of Ngāti Kurī and Te Rarawa ancestry. She grew up in Ahipara, closely connected to her Marae there, before moving to Whangarei and working for Northland DHB in health promotion and gaining a nursing degree. She followed a calling to relocate to Rotorua (Te Arawa) where she established her business as a fulltime Kaimirimiri and educator. She now lives in Wellington.
Jolie is also a National-level competitive powerlifter and record-holder (Masters3/U84kg; official national record squat and world record deadlift - World Powerlifting 2020)
ACC Rongoā Māori Advisory Panel member
Jolie is a member of the panel providing guidance around the strategic development and implementation of the Rongoā Māori service.
