Whānau Waipareira and Rako Science, a Kiwi-owned company, who has developed a cost effective and diagnostically validated saliva test – have joined forces to expedite Covid-19 testing results and help protect vulnerable communities.
Waipareira CEO John Tamihere last week signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Rako Science following an extensive due diligence period.
The decision to go with Rako Science’s diagnostically validated and affordable saliva testing model was a great fit for Waipareira.
“We are rolling out Rako’s highly accurate saliva test at our community testing centre for asymptomatic people because it is the best test and has better chain of custody in itscollection systems,” Tamihere said.
“Our people don’t like the invasive nasal swab and will be much happier to give a saliva sample, which means they are more likely to come forward and be tested.
“Once the Ministry of Health agreed in July that the Rako Science saliva test was at least asaccurate as nasopharyngeal swab tests, we decided it would be unethical not to offer it to our people because of its non-invasive nature.
“This strengthens us to better serve our communities. We could also make this a mobile service to meet the demands of the community, not the demands of bureaucrats and those who have medicalised and monetarised this pandemic.
”Once we have completed a pilot, this Saliva Testing Service, will run alongside and complement our Vaccination and Nasal Swabbing centres.”
The Rako Science saliva test is the only diagnostically validated saliva test that meets theISO15189 standard for medical tests that is available in New Zealand. Rako Science’sdiagnostic validation study found 96.6% diagnostic sensitivity and 98.6% specificity.
The Rako Science COVID-19 PCR saliva test was developed by the University of Illinois and it has been licensed to hundreds of laboratories, universities, schools and businesses across the United States.
Rako Science has completed thousands of tests in New Zealand since January 2021 including all New Zealand Olympic and Paralympic athletes and support team before departure toTokyo, as well as film production companies and some of New Zealand’s largest businessesincluding Fisher & Paykel Healthcare and Genesis Energy.
Dr Stephen Grice said the partnership with Waipareira aligns with Rako Science’s values ofincreasing accessibility and affordability of world-class science and technology for all people in New Zealand.
“Waipareira have the connections to the communities and all ethnicities, they have the experience and the talent to deploy our saliva test,” Dr Grice said.
