Community pharmacy We are a busy community pharmacy in Waitara, about 15 minutes north of New Plymouth city.
We pride ourselves on providing an outstanding professional medicine service. Some of our extra services include INR warfarin testing, Covid and flu vaccinations, ear piercing and passport photos. We stock a large range of natural health supplements and over-the-counter medicines. Our beauty ranges include Natio, Designer Brands and Thin Lizzy. A gift shop is within the pharmacy and stocks a huge selection of gifts for all occasion - from kiwiana to post overseas, stunning jewellery, handbags and houseware.
02/12/2025
Our cherished pharmacist Christina, who is involved with the Taranaki Air Ambulance Trust would like us to share the details of their Open Day this Sunday, 7th of December from 10am to 2pm. We would love to show support for this cause, pop by the hangar and enjoy free parking (2 hours), check out the plane ✈️ and talk to the pilots and nurses themselves to find out about their plans for future development.
They are offering a free bbq for all visitors, as well as raffles and face painting. A great Sunday outing while supporting a brilliant cause 👏
Come along to our Open Day - this Sunday, from 10am - 2pm, at the Taranaki Air Ambulance Trust hangar on Puketapu Drive (off Airport Drive).
Fantastic opportunity to come and have a look around, check out the aircraft and equipment, meet the team, and enjoy the sausage sizzle - which is on us!
We would love to see you there.
01/12/2025
Today marked the first day of the change in ownership of Waitara Pharmacy, and all systems are go 🙌 We are on track for a seamless transition, and as always feel free to pop in for a chat and meet Pres anytime, who will be happy to answer any questions you have 😊 You can still expect the same friendly service and all the wonderful staff are staying on to help you with your healthcare needs.
*From Taranaki Daily News* - Deena Coster
Changing of the guard at Waitara Pharmacy
“The new owner of one of Waitara’s most essential services is promising it will be nothing but business as usual for customers.
Margaret Helms’ decision to sell the Waitara Pharmacy brings an end to her 30-year association with the business.
But for its new owner, Presant Singh, it’s the realisation of an ambition he has had since becoming a pharmacist 12 years ago.
The 37-year-old has moved to Taranaki from Christchurch to take on the new venture.
“I just want to get stuck into it.”
Helms had owned the business since 2010, but had worked there before under previous owner Peter Budden.
During her time in the business, investment in technology was a priority, such as the introduction of an automated dispensing machine, which was a first for Taranaki at the time.
Another highlight was offering support to intern pharmacists, some of whom went on to work for her.
She said she had really enjoyed being part of the Waitara community, where she was greeted by name in the street, or asked for advice in the supermarket aisle.
One of the most challenging times during her tenure had been running the business during the Covid-19 epidemic.
“It was a really difficult and stressful time.”
Helms said there were a lot of early starts and late nights, and her staff were administering 120 vaccinations a day at the height of the pandemic.
The mother-of-two felt it was the right time to sell the business, but she wanted to ensure the new owner had the same heart that she, and her 18 staff, had for the community.
“I’m quite a strong advocate for independent pharmacy ownership.”
Singh previously worked in pharmacies in Kaiapoi, which he said had a similar demographic and clientele to Waitara, as well as the hustle and bustle of the Christchurch CBD.
But once he visited Helms and Waitara Pharmacy, he felt the fit was right for him, and he was keen to become part of the community, and be on a first name basis with his customers.
“It felt like a family vibe, which is where my skills are.”
Singh would officially take over the business on December 1, but Helms would continue to offer her support from the sidelines.
She thanked the staff she had, both past and present, for being the public face of the business, and the genuine relationships they had built up with the pharmacy’s customers.
“Without them, we wouldn’t have a business.”
Since announcing news about the change in ownership, Helms said she had been blown away by the hundreds of positive comments she had received on social media.
“I think I was just doing my job, but it’s nice to know it meant more than that.”
Meanwhile, Singh said he was grateful for the support Helms and her husband Shane had offered during the transition period, and promised no radical changes were on the horizon.
“They’ve worked really hard to build this business up to what it is today, and I just want to carry that on.”
30/11/2025
27/11/2025
Here comes the Sun - Summer Essentials
Histoleve Nasal Spray 15g $19.99
Promotion period ends November 28th or while stocks last
26/11/2025
Here comes the Sun - Summer Essentials with Reef Sunscreen Range
SPF15 Cocoa Shimmer Oil 125ml $17.99
SPF30 Dry Sun Tan 125ml $14.99
SPF15+ Coconut Oil Spray 220ml $17.99
SPF30+ Coconut Oil Spray 220ml $17.99
SPF50+ Coconut Oil Spray 220ml $17.99
Promotion period ends November 28th or while stocks last
25/11/2025
Here comes the Sun - Summer Essentials
Levrix 10 Tabs $12.99
Levrix 30 Tabs $25.99
Promotion period ends November 28th or while stocks last
24/11/2025
Summer Essentials with some new scales
Bodisure Weight Scale $32.99
Promotion period ends November 28th or while stocks last
23/11/2025
Here comes the Sun - Summer Essentials
Loraclear 30 Tabs $12.99
Promotion period ends November 28th or while stocks last
20/11/2025
Here comes the Sun - Summer Essentials
Histaclear 30 Tabs $12.99
Promotion period ends November 28th or while stocks last
19/11/2025
Here comes the Sun - Summer Essentials with Invisible Zinc Range
SPF50+ 4 hour Water Resistant 50ml $19.99 / 100ml $34.99
SPF50+ Face + Body 75g $24.99 / 150g $34.99
SPF50+ Junior Clip 60g $21.99
SPF50+ Sheer Defence 500g $39.99
SPF50+ Sheer Defence light/medium tint 50g $26.99
Promotion period ends November 28th or while stocks last
19/11/2025
After 15 years as owners of Waitara Pharmacy, Margaret and Shane are stepping away from pharmacy. Margaret first worked for Peter Budden nearly 30 years ago, and has thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the Waitara community. She will miss chats with all her favourite customers, and the fun that our staff team has every day! Heartfelt thanks to all our staff, past and present for their dedication and hard work.
Presant Singh takes over on the 1st of December and he’s shifted here from Christchurch full of enthusiasm and energy for his new role. More pics to come soon. Please do give him a warm Waitara welcome!
19/11/2025
Here comes the Sun - Summer Essentials with Travel Ease
25mg - 10 Tabs $22.99
Promotion period ends November 28th or while stocks last
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Welcome to Waitara Pharmacy! Independently owned by Margaret and Shane Helms since 2010. You’ll find us on the main street of Waitara, about 15 minutes north of New Plymouth city. We pride ourselves on providing an outstanding professional medicine service.
Our staff of 4 full-time pharmacists and dedicated team of dispensary technicians and pharmacy assistants mean that there is always a professional available to help you. We have embraced modern technology with two robotic dispensing machines, to help speed up our service to you. We offer extra services such as blisterpacking of medication and INR warfarin blood testing. Our pharmacists are accredited to sell Sildenafil, Trimethoprim and the Emergency Contraceptive Pill. We can refer you to our local Tui Ora smoking cessation provider, and supply free ni****ne replacement therapy. We work closely with our local medical centre, and you can arrange for your prescription to be sent directly to us. We dont charge any extra fee’s to process your faxed prescription. Ask about our free text reminder service for repeat prescriptions. If you are unable to leave the house, or are too unwell to collect your medicine then just ask us about our free local delivery service.
We stock a large range of natural health supplements and over-the-counter medicines. Our Everyday Prices on selected products offer excellent value on the supplements and medicines we like to recommend. Our beauty ranges include Natio, Maybelline, L'Oreal, Shiseido Moisture Mist and Designer Brands. We also have photo kiosks available to print photos, and take passport photos that can be printed or emailed to you. A gift shop is attached to the pharmacy and stocks a huge selection of gifts for all occasion - from kiwiana to post overseas, stunning hand-made jewellery, handbags and houseware.
Our popular Rewards Card means that when you have spent $150 on retail purchases we give you a $10 Margaret’s Money voucher to spend on anything in store.
