Originally from the East Coast and of Ngāti Porou descent, Ä€tene had a 20-year career in teaching that took him from roles in New Zealand to Niue, Aitutaki-Cook Islands and Singapore. Along the way he touched fame as a student locking the Auckland under 21 rugby scrum with future All Black captain Gary Whetton.  Later he was talked into a job as deputy principal at his old school St Stephens by then-principal Te Ururoa Flavell – now the Māori Party co-leader.  

“I’m impressed by PHARMAC’s willingness to have advisory groups from the community, and listen to the Māori voice,” he says. “Groups like the Consumer Advisory Committee and Te RōpÅ« Ä€whina Māori provide strong relationships – a good foundation for future work.” “I’m really excited to be here. At first I thought it would be 3-5 years or so, but I can see it being potentially longer, there’s so much we can do – and I’ve only been here four months!” “I get excited about where we can take PHARMAC to make things better for Māori. We’re making good progress, we’ve already signed two Memoranda of Agreement with whānau ora collectives, and we’re working to lift the cultural competency of staff.” A new job in a new sector isn’t the only adjustment Ä€tene is making in 2014. This year also saw the arrival of his first grandson, so it’s papa Ä€tene as