The School of Pharmacy, University of Auckland, is delighted to see a number of their past and present students involved as named investigators on this grant. This includes recent graduates of the Bachelor of Pharmacy degree Sam Martin (Ngāpuhi), Mariana Hudson (Whakatōhea; Ngāti Porou), Nora Parore (Ngāti Whātua; Ngāpuhi; Ngāti Wai; Te Roroa) and Robert Haua (Ngaiterangi). Robert is also a current PhD candidate at the School, along with Jo Hikaka (Ngāruahine) who will lead this project.
All of those mentioned above have been involved in research prior – for many this started during their time in the undergraduate programme. Undergraduate students at School of Pharmacy have opportunities to experience research through summer scholarships and through a compulsory group research dissertation in their final year.
Nora Parore is a graduate of the Bachelor of Pharmacy and the Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Pharmacy at the SOP. As a MAPAS graduate, her commitment and contribution today as a Māori pharmacist is demonstrated in her current roles and career direction. Nora has current roles as a practising community pharmacist, a research fellow in health services research and she is a HRC Clinical Research Training Fellow which includes scoping out the current policy environment and the available government routes to influence change in pharmacy for whānau Māori.
Robert is in the final stages of writing up his PhD thesis evaluating models of pharmacist integration into general practice in Aotearoa. He is also working at Auckland District Health Board as the Lead Pharmacist – Procurement, and has been closely involved with setting up and providing oversight of the DHB’s staff COVID-19 vaccination campaign. Robert says “I have always had an interest in expanding the scope of pharmacists, and I think this project is exciting because it gives us the opportunity to privilege the voices of Māori, and ensure that their experiences and views are at the forefront when designing a minor ailments service in NZ. On a personal level, I look forward to taking part in a research project that uses a kaupapa Māori framework – something that I then hope to be more confident in using in some of my future research endeavours.”
Mariana, a pharmacist and researcher in Ōpōtiki and MPA Vice-President, says “I am proud to be involved in this project which aligns with the MPA vision 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 – this is our WHY.”
Jo Hikaka, PhD candidate at the School who recently submitted her thesis for examination, talked about the collaboration within the research team. “MPA is excited to be partnering with National Hauora Coalition and their researchers, Dr Rachel Brown and Dr Anneka Anderson, who will support the methodological development and analysis. This will help build the capabilities of our researchers and organisation in relation to robust research by Māori, for Māori.”
The School of Pharmacy has a commitment to supporting Maori research and informing pro-equity service development, and congratulates the team on being awarded funding for this exciting project
Contact email: j.hikaka@auckland.ac.nz
