ASK BETTER QUESTIONS.
My research sits across medicines, Indigenous health, natural products, data and health systems; but the starting point is usually the same: what problem are we actually trying to solve, who are we solving it with, and will it help achieve pae ora mō te iwi Māori?
My research sits across medicines, Indigenous health, natural products, data and health systems; but the starting point is usually the same: what problem are we actually trying to solve, who are we solving it with, and will it help achieve pae ora mō te iwi Māori?
01 / MY PHD
WHAT COULD BETTER MEDICINES CARE FOR WHĀNAU MĀORI LOOK LIKE?
Developing a pharmacist-facilitated medicines review model with and for Māori living with type 2 diabetes
My PhD is trying to develop a simple medicines review model that centres whānau aspirations and can be used by pharmacists who perform medicines reviews with whānau Māori.
My PhD is trying to develop a simple medicines review model that centres whānau aspirations and can be used by pharmacists who perform medicines reviews with whānau Māori.
The research grew directly from my experience working as a mobile pharmacist on marae and in people’s homes. Existing medicines review models can reduce complex care to a series of clinical tasks: what to check, what to document and what recommendations to make. But I found that much of what made a medicines review useful for whānau happened outside those boxes.
The research grew directly from my experience working as a mobile pharmacist on marae and in people’s homes. Existing medicines review models can reduce complex care to a series of clinical tasks: what to check, what to document and what recommendations to make. But I found that much of what made a medicines review useful for whānau happened outside those boxes.
Before we could talk meaningfully about medicines, whānau needed to feel comfortable. They needed space to ask questions, understand what they were taking and why, and connect medicines with what they wanted for their own health.
Before we could talk meaningfully about medicines, whānau needed to feel comfortable. They needed space to ask questions, understand what they were taking and why, and connect medicines with what they wanted for their own health.
At the same time, I was struck by how many whānau I met were living with type 2 diabetes, but were not thriving with it.
At the same time, I was struck by how many whānau I met were living with type 2 diabetes, but were not thriving with it.
That experience led to a simple question:
That experience led to a simple question:
What should a medicines review look like when we start with whānau aspirations?
What should a medicines review look like when we start with whānau aspirations?
What should a medicines review look like when we start with whānau aspirations?
COMPLETED
INDIGENOUS EVIDENCE
01 →
01 ↓
COMPLETED
WHĀNAU VOICE
02 →
02 ↓
COMPLETED
CLINICIAN VOICE
03 →
03 ↓
WHERE I AM NOW
DRAFT + PILOT
04 / CURRENT STAGE →
UPCOMING
REFINE + TEST
05 →
UPCOMING
IMPLEMENT
06
PUBLICATION FROM THIS MAHI
Structural Components of Indigenous Models of Diabetes Care: A Scoping Review
We reviewed Indigenous diabetes programmes across Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia, the United States and Canada to identify the practical service components used to turn Indigenous values into care.
READ THE PAPER →
THE MODEL IS TAKING SHAPE.
The next stage of this research brings the evidence, whānau voices and clinician perspectives together into a practical medicines review model. The developing model will live here as the research progresses.
The next stage of this research brings the evidence, whānau voices and clinician perspectives together into a practical medicines review model. The developing model will live here as the research progresses.
DEVELOPING MODEL / COMING SOON
HE MIHI
This mahi is shaped, challenged and strengthened by my amazing supervisors:
Dr Lisa Kremer, Associate Professor Anneka Anderson and Dr Jo Hikaka.
All mīharo wahine toa who keep me honest and on-track!
This mahi is shaped, challenged and strengthened by my amazing supervisors:
Dr Lisa Kremer, Associate Professor Anneka Anderson and Dr Jo Hikaka.
All mīharo wahine toa who keep me honest and on-track!
TRADITIONAL, COMPLEMENTARY + ALTERNATIVE MEDICINES
NATURAL PRODUCTS ARE PART OF MY RESEARCH TOO.
My research interests extend into Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines (TCAM), particularly natural health product use, safety, pharmacovigilance, and what happens when natural products are used alongside prescribed medicines. I'm interested in how we can better understand these products, not only whether they work, but how they're used, what risks might exist, and how clinicians can have better conversations about them.
My research interests extend into Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines (TCAM), particularly natural health product use, safety, pharmacovigilance, and what happens when natural products are used alongside prescribed medicines. I'm interested in how we can better understand these products, not only whether they work, but how they're used, what risks might exist, and how clinicians can have better conversations about them.
RONGOĀ + PRESCRIBED MEDICINES
ROKOĀ HAS ITS OWN MANA.
Rokoā is not simply another category of complementary medicine or a collection of plant remedies.
Rokoā is not simply another category of complementary medicine or a collection of plant remedies.
My interest is in helping clinicians understand that rongoā is part of a wider system of knowledge with its own whakapapa, mātauraka and mana, and in supporting safer, more respectful conversations when whānau use rongoā alongside prescribed medicines.
My interest is in helping clinicians understand that rongoā is part of a wider system of knowledge with its own whakapapa, mātauraka and mana, and in supporting safer, more respectful conversations when whānau use rongoā alongside prescribed medicines.
New Zealand green-lipped mussel (kuku)
READ THE PAPER →
New Zealand green-lipped mussel (kuku)
READ THE PAPER →
Rokoā (Rongoā) Māori in primary care: supporting safe use alongside prescribed medicines
READ THE PAPER →
Rokoā (Rongoā) Māori in primary care: supporting safe use alongside prescribed medicines
READ THE PAPER →
WHERE THIS COULD GO →
Monographs for individual rākau. Better interactions guidance. Research that helps clinicians move beyond a blanket ‘don’t use it’ response.
This is an area I hope to develop further… potentially through postdoctoral research and ongoing collaboration with Professor Joanne Barnes.
WHERE THIS COULD GO →
Monographs for individual rākau. Better interactions guidance. Research that helps clinicians move beyond a blanket ‘don’t use it’ response.
This is an area I hope to develop further… potentially through postdoctoral research and ongoing collaboration with Professor Joanne Barnes.
CURIOUS ABOUT WHERE THIS MEETS PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT?
03 / HAUKAHA
CAN AI HELP US AGE WELL AND WORK EQUITABLY FOR MĀORI?
Haukaha is a $4 million, three-year research project exploring how artificial intelligence can improve the health and wellbeing of older people through better assessments, earlier identification of health risks, and more personalised care.
Haukaha is a $4 million, three-year research project exploring how artificial intelligence can improve the health and wellbeing of older people through better assessments, earlier identification of health risks, and more personalised care.
The project is a collaboration between Aotearoa and Singapore, funded through MBIE’s Catalyst programme.
The project is a collaboration between Aotearoa and Singapore, funded through MBIE’s Catalyst programme.
AOTEAROA
AOTEAROA
AOTEAROA
↔
↕
SINGAPORE
SINGAPORE
SINGAPORE
ASSESS
Using AI to support quicker and more accurate interRAI assessments.
Using AI to support quicker and more accurate interRAI assessments.
PREDICT
Developing models to identify risks including cognitive decline, fractures and depression.
Developing models to identify risks including cognitive decline, fractures and depression.
PLAN
Exploring AI-generated personalised care plans that support clinicians, older people and whānau.
Exploring AI-generated personalised care plans that support clinicians, older people and whānau.
MY ROLE
I’m a named Māori researcher and core member of the Hāuora Māori Advisory Rōpū.
I’m a named Māori researcher and core member of the Hāuora Māori Advisory Rōpū.
I sit at the intersection of Māori health, clinical pharmacy and health services research; helping examine Māori data governance, algorithmic bias, and whether emerging AI tools are clinically and culturally appropriate for Māori.
I sit at the intersection of Māori health, clinical pharmacy and health services research; helping examine Māori data governance, algorithmic bias, and whether emerging AI tools are clinically and culturally appropriate for Māori.
MY PARTICULAR INTEREST IS ENSURING MĀORI ARE INVOLVED THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS, RATHER THAN SIMPLY EVALUATING TECHNOLOGIES ONCE THEY HAVE ALREADY BEEN DEVELOPED.
MY PARTICULAR INTEREST IS ENSURING MĀORI ARE INVOLVED THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS, RATHER THAN SIMPLY EVALUATING TECHNOLOGIES ONCE THEY HAVE ALREADY BEEN DEVELOPED.
MY PARTICULAR INTEREST IS ENSURING MĀORI ARE INVOLVED THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS, RATHER THAN SIMPLY EVALUATING TECHNOLOGIES ONCE THEY HAVE ALREADY BEEN DEVELOPED.
Led by Associate Professor Hamish Jamieson at the University of Otago.
Led by Associate Professor Hamish Jamieson at the University of Otago.
Co-principal investigators include Distinguished Professor Geoff Chase, University of Canterbury, and Dr Jo Hikaka, University of Auckland.
Co-principal investigators include Distinguished Professor Geoff Chase, University of Canterbury, and Dr Jo Hikaka, University of Auckland.
The collaboration includes the University of Otago, University of Canterbury, University of Auckland and Singapore Management University.
The collaboration includes the University of Otago, University of Canterbury, University of Auckland and Singapore Management University.
PROJECT PERIOD / 2025—2028
04 / RESEARCH COLLABORATIONS
RESEARCH IS A TEAM SPORT.
I don’t need to lead every project to contribute something useful. I collaborate with research teams where my experience across Māori health, pharmacy, medicines and natural health products can add another perspective.
I don’t need to lead every project to contribute something useful. I collaborate with research teams where my experience across Māori health, pharmacy, medicines and natural health products can add another perspective.
01
NATURAL HEALTH PRODUCT PHARMACOVIGILANCE
I work with Professor Joanne Barnes and her research group at the University of Auckland on research exploring the safety and pharmacovigilance of natural health products.
This work examines how adverse effects from natural health products are identified, reported and managed, and how consumers, health professionals, industry and regulators contribute to monitoring their safety.
I've also advised several PhD students working in this area, contributing perspectives from Māori health, pharmacy and natural health product development to study design, engagement and interpretation.
I work with Professor Joanne Barnes and her research group at the University of Auckland on research exploring the safety and pharmacovigilance of natural health products.
This work examines how adverse effects from natural health products are identified, reported and managed, and how consumers, health professionals, industry and regulators contribute to monitoring their safety.
I've also advised several PhD students working in this area, contributing perspectives from Māori health, pharmacy and natural health product development to study design, engagement and interpretation.
02
TE PUNA RONGOĀ
I was part of the Te Puna Rongoā research team, a collaboration between the Māori Pharmacists Association and the National Hauora Coalition examining Māori experiences of medicines use and access to pharmacist-delivered care.
I was part of the Te Puna Rongoā research team, a collaboration between the Māori Pharmacists Association and the National Hauora Coalition examining Māori experiences of medicines use and access to pharmacist-delivered care.
Using multi-phase, mixed-methods Kaupapa Māori research, the team explored medicines adherence and non-adherence, Māori experiences of taking medicines ‘as prescribed’, and how pharmacist minor ailment services could be designed to improve equitable access to medicines.
Using multi-phase, mixed-methods Kaupapa Māori research, the team explored medicines adherence and non-adherence, Māori experiences of taking medicines ‘as prescribed’, and how pharmacist minor ailment services could be designed to improve equitable access to medicines.
My role included contributing as a Māori pharmacist and researcher across study design, interpretation and translation of findings into pharmacy practice.
My role included contributing as a Māori pharmacist and researcher across study design, interpretation and translation of findings into pharmacy practice.
03
TE RANGA I TE TIRA | WELLCONNECTEDNZ
I was an Associate Investigator on Te Ranga i te Tira | WellConnectedNZ, a Healthier Lives National Science Challenge project led by Dr Michael Epton in Ōtautahi Christchurch.
I was an Associate Investigator on Te Ranga i te Tira | WellConnectedNZ, a Healthier Lives National Science Challenge project led by Dr Michael Epton in Ōtautahi Christchurch.
The project explored how people living with multiple long-term health conditions could be better supported to live active, socially connected lives by strengthening links between health services and existing community supports.
The project explored how people living with multiple long-term health conditions could be better supported to live active, socially connected lives by strengthening links between health services and existing community supports.
My contribution brought a community pharmacy and medicines perspective to the research, including thinking about how pharmacists and primary care teams could help people navigate and connect with local services.
My contribution brought a community pharmacy and medicines perspective to the research, including thinking about how pharmacists and primary care teams could help people navigate and connect with local services.
SOMETIMES THE SUPPORT ALREADY EXISTS. THE PROBLEM IS KNOWING WHERE TO FIND IT.
05 / WHERE THE CURRENT THREAD STARTED
MY MASTER’S
The questions have evolved. The kaupapa hasn’t changed.
The questions have evolved. The kaupapa hasn’t changed.
MEDICINES ACCESS EQUITY → TE PUNA RONGOĀ → MEDICINES CARE → PHD
MEDICINES ACCESS EQUITY
↓
TE PUNA RONGOĀ
↓
MEDICINES CARE
↓
PHD
“AS LONG AS WE ARE ALL AWARE OF THE WORDS AND THE WAIATA, WE’LL SING IT BEAUTIFULLY”
My Master’s explored stakeholder views on how pharmacists, particularly through a Pharmacist Minor Ailment Service and medicines-adherence support, could help reduce barriers to medicines access and improve equity for Māori.
This work started me thinking about not just whether whānau can access medicines care, but what that care should actually look like.
My Master’s explored stakeholder views on how pharmacists, particularly through a Pharmacist Minor Ailment Service and medicines-adherence support, could help reduce barriers to medicines access and improve equity for Māori.
This work started me thinking about not just whether whānau can access medicines care, but what that care should actually look like.
06 / PUBLICATIONS
READ THE RAKAHAU.
Featured papers throughout this page link directly to the research. My complete publication record lives on ORCID.
Featured papers throughout this page link directly to the research. My complete publication record lives on ORCID.
VIEW ALL PUBLICATIONS ON ORCID →
VIEW ALL PUBLICATIONS ON ORCID →
HE PĀTAI?
GOT A QUESTION WORTH EXPLORING TOGETHER?
I’m always interested in conversations across Indigenous health, medicines, health services, natural products, technology and implementation; particularly where different perspectives might create something useful.
I’m always interested in conversations across Indigenous health, medicines, health services, natural products, technology and implementation; particularly where different perspectives might create something useful.