Rongoa is a comprehensive resource for learning about rongoā Māori, the traditional Māori healing system. It offers insights into Māori healing practices, medicinal plants and herbs used in rongoā, and the cultural context and history of rongoā Māori. The website is designed to be a valuable source of knowledge for practitioners, students, and the general public. However, it is not intended to replace advice from healthcare professionals or herbalists. The content includes information on Māori healing practices, medicinal plants and herbs, and the cultural context. Users can contribute information, volunteer time, donate, or contact the website administrators for any questions or comments.
The first thing that this site needed was an advanced user system. This system would allow users to create accounts, log in, and access exclusive content. For example, only certain users would be able to access the full database of rongoā as there are certain restrictions on who can access dangerous information. This system would also allow users of different levels to access different information. For example, a student might only be able to access basic information, while a practitioner might be able to access more advanced information. Additionally, the site needed to restrict who could contribute information to the site. This would prevent users from posting incorrect or dangerous information.
This is paired with a custom content management system (CMS) that allows the site administrators to easily manage the content on the site. The CMS is tailored to the specific needs of the site, allowing the editors to add, edit, and delete specific sections of each rongoā. This system also allows the administrators to manage the user system, including adding new users, assigning user roles, and moderating user contributions.
The second thing that this site needed was a custom design. The design needed to be modern, user-friendly, and visually appealing. It needed to reflect the cultural context of rongoā Māori and be accessible to users of all ages and backgrounds. The design needed to reflect the use of the in house CMS and the advanced user capabilities of the site. The design also needed to be responsive and work well on all devices, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones.
The final site is a modern, user-friendly platform that provides valuable information on rongoā Māori. The site uses platforms that provide secure user accounts, allowing users to access exclusive content and contribute information. For example users can log in with their Google account, and the site will remember them. Developers can also log in with their GitHub account. The custom architectural database not only powers the user system but also stores all the information on rongoā throughout the site. The site is designed to be easy to navigate, with clear sections for different types of content and a search function that allows users to find specific information quickly. The design is visually appealing and reflects the cultural context of rongoā Māori, with images and colors that evoke the natural world.
After the site had been live for a year, the team at rongoa noticed that a lot of their users were accessing the site on mobile devices. They also noticed that there were a lack of images on the site due to the requirement of images being credited. They came to us with the idea of creating a mobile app that would be linked to the website. The app would allow users to post images of the rongoā they were using, and the images would be automatically credited to the user. The app would also link to the website so that the editors could review the images and add them to the site if they were appropriate. Due to future proofing the site, the app was able to be created with ease and tightly integrated with the already existing site.
This project is ongoing and will continue to grow and evolve. Future updates will focus on expanding the content as well as improving the user experience. The site will continue to be a valuable resource for learning about rongoā Māori and will provide a platform for sharing knowledge and connecting with others interested in traditional Māori healing practices.
