TupuToa interns showcase their final presentations
We recently said farewell to our three incredible TupuToa interns. They joined us in November and finished their internship in February.
TupuToa is a pathway that provides professional employment opportunities for Māori and Pacific tertiary tauira in corporate, government, and community organisations. Each year we offer three paid TupuToa internships for Māori and Pacific tauira.
During their time here, each intern undertook a significant research project and presented their findings to kaimahi. They provided Te Pātaka Whaioranga with valuable insight and useful recommendations to consider and implement in different areas of our work.
Iritana Bennett-Fakahau (Ngāti Porou, Village of Folaha – Tonga) joined the Māori Directorate to help inform how Te Pātaka Whaioranga can incorporate the aspirations of future generations into our mahi. Iritana goes into her fourth year as a medical student at the University of Otago.
Rachel O’Kane (Kai Tahu) joined the Māori Directorate to investigate Māori data sovereignty at Te Pātaka Whaioranga. She has returned to the University of Otago to continue her studies in Māori Health and Pacific and Global Health.
Nick Workman (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, Te Āti Awa) joined our Equity team to look at different medicines on the Options for Investment list to determine what an equitable approach to funding might look like. Nick is completing his third year studying pharmacy at the University of Otago.
Our TupuToa interns lived our values of tūhono, wānanga, maia, whakarongo and kaitiakitanga working here and it was evident through their research projects.
We wish Iritana, Rachel and Nick all the best with their study and we look forward to seeing more interns through our doors later this year.
The TupuToa programme(external link) supports our desire to be a pro-equity organisation and uphold our Te Tiriti o Waitangi commitments.
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.