Empowering Māori health professionals
In the past year, Te Pātaka Whaioranga has strengthened its commitment to Māori health advancement through our partnerships with four key Māori health professional bodies.
Partnering for empowerment
The Māori health professional bodies are:
- Te Rūnanga o Āotearoa Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa
- Ngā Pou Mana Tangata Whenua | Allied Health
- Te Ohu Rata o Aotearoa | Māori Medical Practitioners Association
- Ngā Kaitiaki o Te Puna Rongoā | Māori Pharmacists’ Association.
These collaborations support educational opportunities, annual gatherings, and nurture leadership within the Māori health workforce.
“These events serve as vital platforms for knowledge exchange, professional development, and the reinforcement of cultural identity among Māori health practitioners,” says Pharmac’s Kaituruki Māori – Director Māori, Trevor Simpson.
Simpson says that Te Pātaka Whaioranga understands just how important leadership is in driving systemic change and is backing various initiatives aimed at developing leadership skills among Māori health professional bodies.
31 scholarships awarded
In 2024, Te Pātaka Whaioranga provided scholarships in partnership with these organisations. This year a total of 31 scholarships were awarded. These scholarships aim to alleviate financial barriers, enabling recipients to pursue studies, and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
Hiwinui Heke scholarship
Te Pātaka Whaioranga, in collaboration with Ngā Kaitiaki o Te Puna Rongoā ō Āotearoa (Māori Pharmacists’ Association), created the Hiwinui Heke Māori Pharmacy Scholarship to tautoko tauira Māori studying toward their Bachelor of Pharmacy degree and to promote pharmacy as a career.
The awards are named after Hiwinui Heke, the first ever Māori pharmacist. The Hiwinui Heke scholarship was established and is awarded annually to outstanding Māori pharmacy students. In 2024, there were three recipients – Jade Tau-Manual, Te Aniwa Tutua, and Pamela Conway.
“By continuing to invest in scholarships, support annual hui, and foster leadership, Te Pātaka Whaioranga is committed to empowering Māori health professionals and, in turn, enhancing the wellbeing of Māori communities across Aotearoa,” says Simpson.
Investing in our future
“Te Pātaka Whaioranga remains dedicated to its partnerships with these Māori health professional bodies, acknowledging that such collaborations are essential in addressing health disparities and promoting equity.”