A new Tūhourangi pharmacist in the making

Over the weekend, Pounamu Keepa (Tūhourangi, Ngāruahine, Te Aitanga a Māhaki, Ngāti Kahungunu) attended the Ngā Kaitiaki o Te Puna Rongoā o Aotearoa (Māori Pharmacists Association) Symposium here in Rotorua, at Ōwhata Marae.

This year marked the 20th birthday of this rōpū, set up to manaaki and support Māori students studying pharmacy at university as well as those who enter into the workforce as kaimahi in hapori around Aotearoa and the world.

Pounamu is in his 4th and final year of studying towards a Bachelor of Pharmacy at Otago University. Having Ngā Kaitiaki, as well as the Māori Students Association and Māori support programmes at Otago throughout his years of study have been instrumental in him navigating this haerenga and graduating at the end of this year. The free kai and tutoring from the Māori centre have been a big help too, according to Pounamu.

When he first entered into his studies, Pounamu was one of 6 Māori in the pharmacy programme compared to the 10-12 first year students in 2023. A testament to Ngā Kaitiaki, the support for Māori students at their universities, scholarships provided by iwi and other rōpū, Kia Ora Hauora and other initiatives encouraging Māori into healthcare pathways, and of course whānau encouragement and tautoko.

“We can make a difference for our people” is the driver for many Māori students as they embark on their studies, and Pounamu is no exception. He looks to finish strong in his final year, to graduate later on at the end of 2023, then take up an internship in February 2024.

E poho kererū ana tō iwi, e Pounamu!

Auahi ana!