By way of introduction, Ngā Kaitiaki o Te Puna Rongoā o Aotearoa – The Māori Pharmacists’ Association (MPA) was borne following a meeting in 2003 in Wellington, where 12 Māori pharmacists who were invited to consider a proposal from the Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand to establish a “reference group”, instead elected to form their own organisation. Links were then formed by one of our founding members Leanne Te Karu with Te Ohu Rata o Aotearoa (Te ORA) by attending their Annual General Meeting.
The inaugural AGM of Ngā Kaitiaki o Te Puna Rongoā o Aotearoa was held in September 2005 in Auckland and the constitution of the Association was registered on 8 June 2006. Annual conferences (hui-ā-tau) have been held since then.
The next three years was were a foundation phase, establishing governance, membership identification, and registration. Founding members took the lead in the development of key relationships, Gaining funding and importance influence on advisory groups and within the health sector. Across 2009 – 2012 we saw the organisation move towards in to a more strategic phase with the focus on future planning, revenue generation, membership growth and infrastructural development. With membership now over 120 and MPA gaining significant success organisationally, the influence of the rōpū continued to mature and MPA could see its role clearly in the sector, its impact on positive outcomes for Māori and where its focus should be in the sector. There was still much to do!
Throughout 2012 – 2014 there had been a focus on organisational development, investment and sustainability. Our key relationships remain strong and our partnerships are solid. We have become a whānau of Māori pharmacy professionals who share a strong culture, a beautiful language guide by Māori principles and values that is unique in the world.
February 2014 saw the passing of Māori pharmacy kaumatua, leader and mentor Matua Hiwinui Heke at the age of 83. Since becoming the first Māori pharmacist in 1955, he dedicated himself his life to improving Māori health in his community and encouraging other Māori into pharmacy. His resilient leadership and smile are sadly missed within our rōpū.
These days, our organisation continues to evolve and grow. Our work will continue to encourage and support all Māori to achieve Whānau Ora.
Our structure is strong and our vision remains clear:
“To lead Māori responsiveness in the Pharmacy Sector in the development and delivery of services aimed to increase medicines optimisation for Māori and ultimately improve Māori Health outcomes.”
Ka piki te wai, ka heke te ua, ka puta te puna, hei rongoā.
The mists ascend to the heavens, the rain falls from the clouds, a spring appears and becomes sustenance for all.
Nā Dee Isaacs
Since becoming the first Māori pharmacist in 1955, Matua Hiwinui Heke dedicated himself his life to improving Māori health in his community and encouraging other Māori into pharmacy. The Te Arawa (Ngai te Rangi, Te Ure o Uenukukopako) man was born in Rotorua in 1930.
He studied at Pharmacy College in Wellington and became a qualified member of the Pharmaceutical Society in 1955. As well as running his own pharmacy for many years, he was instrumental in helping set up Ngā Kaitiaki o te Puna Rongoā o Aotearoa – The Māori Pharmacists’ Association, in 2005.
In 2008 a scholarship from the association and PHARMAC was named after Matua Hiwinui. The Hiwinui Heke Scholarship now gives financial support to top Māori pharmacy students each year, with the aim of encouraging Māori participation in the pharmacy workforce.
In December 2010, he was awarded the first Award for Services to Māori in Pharmacy from the society. Matua Hiwinui Heke was a trailblazer and a great role-model to Māori pharmacists, who make up a very small percentage of the pharmacy workforce. February 2014 saw the death of our kaumatua, leader and mentor Matua Hiwinui Heke at the age of 83. His resilient leadership and smile are sadly missed within our rōpū.
Matua Hiwinui Heke and Leanne Te Karu cutting a cake in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Māori Pharmacists’ Association.
