New Zealand's first Māori Medical Supply Company

The establishment of New Zealand's first Māori medical supply company represents another positive shift towards equitable health outcomes for Māori and Pasifika.

AWA Medical sources & distributes medical PPE and consumables to healthcare providers across the country.

Director Erin Liava’a of Ngāti Maru says while new business is boosting the overall Māori economy, there were no Māori entities in the medical supply field, until now.

Health inequities for Māori & Pasifika are well documented. She says AWA Medical is part of an unstoppable wave in New Zealand Business, as Māori and Pasifika chart a new way forward to better Health.

“The most important drive in our business is relationship building / whanaungatanga. It is important to have cultural connections and trust, so our kai mahi & customers are speaking the same language, and sharing the same goals.”

AWA Medical will create pathways to employ more Māori and Pasifika workers, and will distribute 5% of profits to positive community initiatives.

The foundation of the organisation coincides with the establishment of the Māori Health Authority, and the widespread acknowledgement that Māori and Pasifika people need more input into decision-making within the health sector.

Mauri ora ki a koutou katoa.