Our journey began with a seed — Hua — a word that carries deep meaning in te reo Māori. It signifies growth, creation, and the blossoming of life. In its simplest translation, Ngā Hua means "The Fruit," symbolising the results of our collective efforts and the growth we nurture within our community. The name Ngā Hua was gifted to us by kaumatua from Kirikiriroa Marae, representing the many fruits of our labor as we continue to serve our patients and community with dedication and care. Just as a seed takes root and flourishes under the care of skilled hands, Ngā Hua Pharmacy has grown from its humble beginnings into a flourishing entity, deeply rooted in the heart of Kirikiriroa, Hamilton.

At the core of Ngā Hua Pharmacy lies our kaupapa — the guiding principles and values that shape everything we do.

Our values are rooted in:

• Whakapapa: We honour our ancestry and the lineage that connects us to Kirikiriroa Marae, Te Kōhao Health, and the broader community.
• Manaakitanga: We are dedicated to providing compassionate, respectful, and personalised care to all our patients.
• Whakawhanaungatanga: We believe in the importance of building strong, supportive relationships within our community and with our partners.

These values guide every aspect of our work at Ngā Hua Pharmacy, from the services we provide to the way we interact with our patients and community. Our kaupapa ensures that we remain true to our roots while embracing innovation and growth.

Ngā Hua Pharmacy’s whakapapa is not just a lineage; it’s a story of growth, collaboration, and shared purpose. Ngā Hua Pharmacy is the child of Te Kōhao Health, itself a child of Kirikiriroa Marae. This connection to our community and our heritage informs every decision we make, ensuring that we remain true to our roots while embracing the future.

Our logo, with its Niho Taniwha (taniwha teeth) motif, reflects our connection to the Waikato River. The triangle and its inner patterns symbolise the guardianship of the taniwha that protect our journey, while the two koru represent the embrace between Te Kōhao Health and co-owner James Yu, holding a Miro berry — a symbol of growth, knowledge, and development. The colors of our logo, drawn from the natural world, honour the spiritual and physical realms, as well as the sacred connection between Papatuanuku (Earth Mother) and Ranginui (Sky Father).

Just as a seed needs fertile soil, sunlight, and rain to grow, our pharmacy has flourished through the skills, knowledge, and love of those who have nurtured it. From the early days of planting the seed to our current stage of flowering, we have always been guided by the principles of mātauranga — the wisdom and knowledge passed down through generations.

At Ngā Hua Pharmacy, our patients are at the centre of everything we do. As New Zealand's leading Independent Medical Cannabis Specialist Pharmacy, we are committed to providing compassionate, personalised care that respects the unique needs of each individual.

We are proudly product-agnostic, which allows us to focus solely on what’s best for our patients without any conflicts of interest.

Our journey into Medical Cannabis began in 2018, when we became the first pharmacy in New Zealand to import Medical Cannabis. This milestone was driven by our commitment to increasing accessibility for those in need. One of our earliest patients was a child whose condition had not responded well to conventional treatments. At the request of the family and their doctor, we sourced a more affordable CBD oil option, aiming to improve accessibility and provide the family with an alternative treatment choice.

From these humble beginnings, Ngā Hua Pharmacy has grown to become New Zealand’s largest and most experienced Independent Medical Cannabis Specialist Pharmacy. Our expertise in this field is rooted in our commitment to making life-changing treatments accessible to all who need them.

Our story is one of whakawhanaungatanga — the process of establishing and maintaining strong, supportive relationships. We are proud to work alongside partners who share our vision, and we believe that our collective efforts enable us to provide the highest level of care to our community. Whether through our collaborations with other healthcare providers or our engagement with the broader community, we are committed to fostering connections that benefit everyone involved.

As we look to the future, we remain guided by the values and principles that have brought us to where we are today. Ngā Hua Pharmacy is more than just a pharmacy — it’s a community, a place where the seed of care continues to grow, supported by the dedication of our team and the trust of our patients. We invite you to join us on this journey, as we continue to nurture health, well-being, and growth for generations to come.

Nau mai, haere mai – Welcome to Ngā Hua Pharmacy.

We would like to extend our gratitude to Rua Bioscience for their valuable contribution of specific footage for the above video, reflecting our shared commitment to quality, collaboration, and the growth of the Medical Cannabis community in New Zealand.