29/07/2025
New Ownership of Wicksteed Pharmacy and the Waverley pharmacy
Shope Olawoyin – Director of both Wicksteed and Waverley Pharmacies
Shope Olawoyin grew up in Lagos, Nigeria. After qualifying as a pharmacist, he worked in multiple regions between 2009 and 2017. While both Shope and his wife had good jobs, they were concerned about security and when his wife wanted to retrain as a nurse, they asked for advice from Shope’s aunt, who lived in Palmerston North. Her advice was – “If you are looking for a place to raise a family, this is the best country.”
This was back in late 2015, and Shope applied to be a pharmacist in New Zealand. So Shope had to write five exams, first in Dubai and the second lot in Kenya. He was able to start as an intern in Wicksteed Pharmacy in 2017 and finally received full registration by December 2019.
He bought Wicksteed Pharmacy and followed this up by purchasing Waverley Pharmacy, now called Eliza’s Pharmacy, in July 2025. Customers at Wicksteed will notice some changes, such as new uniforms, designed by the staff themselves, a modernisation of the dispensary layout, and the redecoration of the building using green for Nigeria and pink for the ladies in the pharmacy.
While maintaining a professional approach, Shope has encouraged a friendly, cheerful attitude from the staff, and this has led to a positive team spirit as well as new customers being attracted to the pharmacy.
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Wicksteed Team Members
1. Vikki Wolland. Lead technician. Technicians are competent, qualified health care professionals that pharmacies rely on to get the day-to-day work done effectively. Vikki makes sure that the busy workflow is consistent as well as helping new trainees. With 33 years in pharmacy and seven at Wicksteed, Vikki is very experienced. At work, she loves being part of the team, and at home, loves her two dogs and meeting with friends.
2. Wendy Gibson. Senior Technician. Wendy has been in pharmacy for 30 years and at Wicksteed Pharmacy for two. She says, “I love being surrounded by such a supportive group, and enjoy being connected with customers and helping them. Outside of work, she runs an Airbnb and spends time with family.
3. Kerri Lockett. Senior technician.
Kerri has nearly 40 years’ experience in pharmacy ranging from retail management, training as a technician and specializing in managing rest homes - Kerri has done it all. She has been with the Wicksteed team coming up 14 years and loves all the work and relationships. Kerri enjoys spending time with family and friends and cruising around with her partner in his 1966 VW car.
4. Tash Smith. Senior Technician. Tash has worked in a variety of pharmacies for 20 years and has been at Wicksteed Pharmacy for 18 months. She enjoys how Wicksteed Pharmacy is ‘front-facing’, allowing technicians to interact and develop a rapport with patients. In her spare time she loves gardening, reading and travel.
5. Rachel Miller. Senior Technician. Rachel started training as a travel consultant but switched to pharmacy in Marton. After starting in retail, she worked her way up to a senior technician role. Her motivation is to help people and appreciates the positive responses they get from customers. The work is interesting, and she enjoys having fun with the team.
6. Jacinta Mence. Trainee Technician. Jacinta has been at Wicksteed Pharmacy for two years and says, “I love helping people and this is the type of job I’ve always wanted. I am studying for my technician’s qualifications online in between looking after three children, including a newborn.” Jacinta loves the family feeling of the pharmacy. “It is my happy place.”
7. Phoenix McLaughlin. Trainee Technician. Phoenix has been at Wicksteed Pharmacy for three years and should be qualified soon. “I love the job. It is a career I could do forever.” In her spare time she does a lot of cooking for her Cook Islands’ family, which includes parents and eight siblings. Otherwise, she enjoys her electric guitar and has been good enough to compete in talent quests.
8. Ivary Simon. Trainee Technician. Ivary has just joined the pharmacy after working in Caroline’s Boatshed, as she wanted a job in the health field. Much of her time is spent sorting and packing prescriptions and working on the front desk. She enjoys finding out about medications and how they work. Ivary’s whakapapa is local iwi Te Atihaunui a Pāpārangi.
9. Marielle Rademaker. Trainee technician. Marielle started at Wicksteed this week. She says, “I’ve always wanted to do something in medicine and I love it already.” She enjoys hanging out with family and friends, playing volleyball in a family team and playing football for fun.
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Waverley Team
Members – Eliza’s Pharmacy
1. Shannon Burroughs. Pharmacy Manager. Shannon studied to be a pharmacist in Dunedin completing a four-year degree. She started at Wicksteed Pharmacy in March and three weeks ago, became the manager of Eliza’s Pharmacy in Waverley. She loves her role and the opportunity to progress her career, as well as being based in a rural community.
Eliza’s is planning to offer vaccinations as well as doing Warfarin (prevents and treats blood clots) testing.
2. Claire Steenhuisen. Pharmacist. Claire completed her training in the South Island and gained a few years of experience there. She spent some time travelling before returning to her hometown. She has enjoyed working with many different pharmacy staff around Whanganui and Waverley, working at the hospital, and at the after-hours service, before returning to work in Waverley. She enjoys being part of the rural community.
3. Christine Collins. Senior Technician. Christine has been in pharmacy for 15 years and enjoys working in the healthcare industry. She lives locally.
4. Margaret Bektayev. Technician. Margaret joined Godderidge’s Pharmacy, as Eliza’s was called back then, seven years ago. “I was given the opportunity to complete my studies at Open Polytechnic, and that provided me with a foundation and training. It has given me a chance to become a team member at the vibrant Eliza’s Pharmacy.”
