A trailblazer, Leanne holds the distinction of being Aotearoa’s first pharmacist prescriber. Her groundbreaking work extends beyond medical clinics into marae settings, collaborating with rongoā practitioners, including within the Waimarino amongst her whānau, to optimize medicine therapy. She champions medicines optimization, ensuring optimal use to alleviate illness impacts while mitigating drug-related harms.

As the current Associate Dean Māori for the School of Pharmacy Health Sciences at the University of Otago, Leanne plays a pivotal role in implementing the Māori Strategic Framework, fostering an environment of cultural integration and excellence.

Co-founder of Ngā Kaitiaki o Te Puna Rongoā o Aotearoa, the Māori Pharmacists Association, Leanne served as President for over a decade, championing culturally safe care for Māori within the pharmacy profession.

Acknowledged with the prestigious Pharmaceutical Society’s Gold Medal in 2021, an honor rarely bestowed, Leanne’s tireless dedication to improving health outcomes garnered recognition. Her exceptional contributions extend to various firsts, including receiving the Inaugural Award for Clinical Pharmacist of the Year and the Inaugural Primary Healthcare Pharmacist at the NZ Primary Healthcare Awards|He Tohu Mauri Ora.

Leanne’s commitment to improving Hauora encompasses diverse research endeavors, addressing gout, diabetes, pregnancy-related issues, and infections. She contributes to NZDoctor magazine, serves on New Zealand’s Medicines Adverse Reactions Committee, and holds an Honorary Senior Lecturer position at the University of Auckland’s Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care.

A staunch advocate for indigenous peoples, Leanne works tirelessly, fostering global relationships with Indigenous entities and contributing her expertise to the betterment of health systems from an overarching societal perspective, rooted in mātauranga.

In addition to his scholarly endeavors, Luke actively contributes his expertise to several high-performance teams such as The Hurricanes, Central Pulse, and Māori All Blacks. This hands-on involvement enables him to apply the knowledge garnered from his research directly into the practical realms of elite sports.

Luke’s commitment to unraveling the nexus between indigenous cultural perspectives, decolonization, and mainstream sports showcases his dedication to understanding the intricate connections between Māori heritage and contemporary sports dynamics. This intersectional research stands as a testament to his passion for fostering a deeper understanding of indigenous paradigms within the modern sports landscape.

Balancing his roles in academia and elite sports support, Luke embodies a commitment to bridging the gap between indigenous knowledge and its application in contemporary domains, striving to enhance both cultural appreciation and performance outcomes within the sports arena.