The awards are offered in two categories, each with a prize pool of $10,000: They acknowledge the role Māori nurses play in boosting health outcomes for whānau.
The first category, for Nurse Practitioner/Nurse Prescriber, recognises Māori nurses aiming to advance their clinical practice and expertise.
The second category, Māori Nurse Mātauranga, supports nurses and tauira (students) to further their study – or develop an innovative way to help whānau, hapū and iwi to access and understand their medicines.
Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa Kaiwhakahaere, Kerri Nuku said Te Rūnanga was proud of the support and investment PHARMAC provided with the scholarships.
“We need a health system that supports services run by Māori for Māori in order to improve the health of our whānau, hapū and iwi.
“These awards are a crucial way to tautoko that aspiration, especially for our nurses who are studying to be nurse prescribers and nurse practitioners so they can serve their people where their medical access is limited.”
Nuku said Māori nurses were not only dedicated professionals “but great innovators”.
“The Kaitiaki Awards provide a wonderful opportunity to showcase their day-to-day mahi for the betterment of their people, hei oranga motuhake mo ngā whānau, me ngā hapū, me ngā iwi katoa.”
PHARMAC’s Chief Advisor Māori Trevor Simpson said exceptional nurses and tauira had been recognised over the past four years through the awards, “and I know this year will be no different”.