Nau mai haere mai to the 2023 TupuToa interns

Update Rērere Kōrero

Te Pātaka Whaioranga is pleased to introduce this year’s TupuToa interns. They joined us mid-November and will be working through to early February.

Nick is in a Pharmacy; you can see medicines behind him. He is wearing a white Pharmacist shirt and has a fantastic moustache. He is smiling. .

Nick Workman (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, Te Āti Awa)

Nick is from Te Whanganui ā Tara and is studying pharmacy at the University of Otago, where he has just finished his second year.

Nick has joined our Equity team and is looking at different medicines on the Options for Investment list determine what an equitable approach to funding might look like.

Nick hopes to get experience in both community and hospital pharmacy in future but is excited to get a taste of different working environments.

He says he is enjoying the culture of Te Pātaka Whaioranga and being able to share this experience with his fellow interns.

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Iritana Bennett-Fakahau (Ngati Porou, Village of Folaha - Tonga)

Iritana has a degree in Māori health and is currently a third year medical student at the University of Otago. She hopes to become a General Practitioner and eventually work in her home town of Ōtaki.

Iritana is in the Māori Directorate and will bring a rangatahi voice to help inform how Te Pātaka Whaioranga can incorporate the aspirations of future generations into our mahi. Iritana is looking at emerging kura Māori and Te Reo Māori speaking students to help create better pathways and opportunities.

Iritana says she enjoys working with the team in the Māori Directorate.

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Rachel O’Kane (KāI Tahu)

Rachel is from Ōtepoti and is studying Māori health and Pacific and Global Health at the University of Otago. She also has one year’s experience as a midwifery student.

Rachel has joined the Māori Directorate to investigate Māori data sovereignty at Te Pātaka Whaioranga. She will recommend ways to incorporate elements of Māori data sovereignty into our work, specifically with an iwi/hapu focus.

Rachel aspires to get into health promotion and policy with a focus on Māori and Pacific peoples. Rachel says that the work she is doing with the Māori Directorate directly aligns with the work she hopes to do in future.

“I’m learning how to critically analyse policies and look strategically with a Te Tiriti lens,” says Rachel.

This story is part of the Rērere Kōrero 

The Rērere Kōrero will keep you informed on how Te Pātaka Whaioranga – Pharmac is supporting whānau Māori to achieve their best health and wellbeing through access to medicines and medical devices.