PHARMAC signs agreements with Auckland Whānau Ora Collective and Te ORA the Māori Doctors Association

The Memoranda of Agreement are the latest that health providers have signed with PHARMAC as part of PHARMAC implementing its Māori responsiveness strategy Te Whaioranga.

PHARMAC already has Memoranda of Agreement with four Whānau Ora collectives in Bay of Plenty, Rotorua, and Te Taitokerau, and with Ngā Kaitiaki o Te Puna Rongoā ō Āotearoa, the Māori Pharmacists Association.

PHARMAC’s Kaiwhakahaere Whakarata Māori (Manager, Māori Responsiveness) Ātene Andrews says the agreements signed to date have helped community organisations deliver health services requiring optimal use of medicines that are relevant to each community.

“We have been very pleased with how the agreements have enabled Whānau Ora collectives to improve the services they provide for their people,” says Ātene Andrews.

Kōtahitanga Chair, Phil Tāne comments that the “open-ended Memorandum of Agreement means that both Kotahitanga and PHARMAC can work together long-term on improving the health outcomes of the people of South Auckland, especially in the area of medicines advice.”

Te ORA President Dr Rāwiri Jansen says the agreement demonstrates a commitment to a long-term partnership between PHARMAC and Te ORA, which would be of benefit to Māori doctors.

“Te ORA signing a relationship document with PHARMAC reflects our long-term relationship and signals possibilities beyond annual sponsorship, to potential summer studentships for Te Oranga medical students, and closer interaction between Māori doctors and PHARMAC staff and clinicians,” he says.

Ātene Andrews says PHARMAC’s intention is to be a long-term partner with whānau delivering health and medicines use programmes to Māori.

As with other Memoranda of Agreement signed to date, the new agreements are open ended says Ātene Andrews.  

• PHARMAC’s current memoranda of agreement are with:
  • Te Arawa Whānau Ora Collective (Rotorua)
  • Te Pu o te Wheke Whānau Ora Collective (Te Taitokerau)
  • Ngā Mataapuna Oranga Whānau Ora Collective (Tauranga)
  • Te Ao Mārama Trust Whānau Ora Collective (Opotiki)
  • Ngā Kaitiaki o Te Puna Rongoā ō Āotearoa, the Māori Pharmacists Association