Hauora Māori Pānui: March 2025
A message from your Māori Health Committee Chair
This is the first of the quarterly updates, that we, the Māori Health Committee, are hoping to give you, the caucus. It helps you stay in touch with us and know what we are up to. Remember, we are all volunteers and so if you read something here that sparks your interest, kōrero mai | tell me. There are many ways, big and small, that together will drive change.
What a year to be alive. Welcome to 2025. Just as we thought things would only get better now that we were seeing the back of COVID-19, we as a College, as a healthcare system are seeing new and unprecedented pressures. As I am sure you have seen, the Hauora Māori team, with help from the Policy and Advocacy team, got the RACP in the news with our submission for the Treaty Principles Bill (read about it below).
Many thanks goes to Nicky McCurdy (Kaitohutohu Ahurea | Cultural Advisor) – without her, we would not have got it in on time or had such a great response. Equity is everything for me and it brings that extra 10 per cent on top when delivering patient care.
Bringing cultural safety into my practice as a consultant has really revolutionised the way I treat patients and I love teaching it to juniors in a practical way. There is more to come in the policy and advocacy space, and so if you would like to assist in this vital area, please email hauoramaori@racp.org.nz
Speaking of equity, I am sure you would have all seen the Paediatric Examination Review. This tells us nothing that we as Indigenous peoples did not already know. But for those who are still very much unconscious to this – they are hurting.
It is always hard to know how to navigate this space when it comes to two sides hurting for different reasons over the same problem, but the result is that we are able to fast track some initiatives that were already in the works (not just what the exams are but how they are conducted).
The exams are being looked at across all Faculties and Chapters to make sure they are fit for purpose. Cultural safety training is going to be part of calibration this year and an enhanced complaints and support process for those who are sitting is in place. Probably most importantly, data will be collected on ethnicity of those who sit so we can have a clearer picture of who is passing and who is failing so we can monitor this ongoing.
Finally, I want to wish our two registrars a fond farewell as they move on to bigger and better things. If you didn’t know we have a Lead Fellow, Dawn-Louise Adair, and had set up two registrar posts in the College last year.
During our review period, we missed normal registrar recruitment so have paused it until we can make sure we get it right. Tawera Wharetohunga and Sam Jackson were fantastic in their roles, taking up the manuka, making change and being unapologetic about it. I want you to look out for these two bright stars and support them where you see them as they have supported fellow registrars and the College in their work. I have no doubt we have more to see of them yet.
Members of the Hauora Māori team (left to right): Dr Matthew Wheeler, Chair, Māori Health Committee; Dr Dawn-Louise Adair, Lead Fellow; Dr Samantha Jackson, Registrar; Dr Tawera Wharetohunga, Registrar; Mr Lee Whitney, former CEO, RACP
And with that I will sign off. We just had a strategy day with the Māori Health Committee last and so are hoping to have a strategy for you to see at the Māori Health Hui later this year (Friday, 27 June in Tamaki Makaurau | Auckland, what a tease), there will be trainee wānanga again in August and more from us as the year goes on.
Haere, haere, haere atu rā te manaaki, te whakaaro me te wairua pai i ōu koutou mahi, kāinga arā ngā wahi katoa i tau ai koutou l May the blessings, thoughts, and good spirits of your work, home, and all the places you have settled, go, go.
Mauri ora
Dr Matthew Wheeler
Chair of the Māori Health Committee
The purpose of the Māori Health Committee is to uphold the place of Te Tiriti o Waitangi | The Treaty of Waitangi in Aotearoa New Zealand and the commitment of the College to Māori tangata whenua | Indigenous people of Aotearoa New Zealand. The Māori Health Committee was established in 2007 and operates in a kaupapa Māori way according to tikanga Māori. In 2019, the Committee became a standing Committee of the Board.
The members of the Māori Health Committee are:
- Dr Matthew Wheeler, Chair, Fellow representative – Haematology, general and acute care medicine
- Dr Danny De Lore, Deputy-Chair – Paediatrics and Child Health Medicine
- Dr Deneille Bligh, Advanced Trainee representative – Adult Medicine
- Dr Kristy MacFarlane, Fellow representative – Gastroenterology
- Dr Diana McNeill, Fellow representative – General and acute care medicine
- Dr Julia Reid, Fellow representative – General paediatrics
- Dr Myra Ruka, Adult Medicine Division and Education Strategic Partnership Group representative
- Dr Fergus Stewart, Advanced Trainee representative – Adult Medicine
- Dr Jade Tamatea, Adult Medicine Division and Education Strategic Partnership Group representative
- Dr Tambra Trist, Fellow representative – Paediatrics and Child Health Medicine
- Dr Curtis Walker, Fellow representative – Nephrology, General and acute care medicine
Pictured: The Māori Health Committee (left to right): Dr Matthew Wheeler, Dr Danny De Lore, Dr Deneille Bligh, Dr Kristy MacFarlane, Dr Julia Reid, Dr Myra Ruka, Dr Fergus Stewart, Dr Jade Tamatea, Dr Tambra Trist, Dr Curtis Walker and Dr Diana McNeill
Dr Liza Edmonds, paediatrician and a rōpu of Māori paediatricians, have extended an invitation to all Māori and Pacific Paediatric Basic Trainees preparing for the Divisional Clinical Examination, to participate in a mock exam on Saturday, 5 April 2025 in Masterton, Aotearoa New Zealand. The intent of the mock exam is to provide a supportive environment for trainees to practice their clinical skills. Dr Edmonds can provide support with logistics including accommodation and kai. The Hauora Māori Team and Māori Health Committee are not involved directly in this kaupapa.
If you would like to participate, please get in touch with Dr Edmonds at your earliest convenience by emailing lizaedmonds508@gmail.com or liza.edmonds@vuw.ac.nz or calling 027 586 2548.
Dr Matt Wheeler, Chair of the RACP’s Māori Health Committee, recently laid out the stark reality of health inequities in Aotearoa New Zealand, while addressing the Justice Select Committee on Seymour’s Treaty Principles Bill.
Dr Wheeler spoke about the equity gap for average life expectancy. He shared that Māori women live on average seven years less than non-Māori women, and Māori men live an average of eight years less than non-Māori men.
The RACP strongly opposes this Bill, highlighting its flawed interpretation of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its wider constitutional implications.
Watch Dr Wheeler's powerful statement
Article RACP submission
The Committee hosts a Māori Health Hui for the College’s Māori members to reflect, connect and set the direction towards our goal of population parity for Māori in the physician and paediatrician workforce in Aotearoa New Zealand. This year's Māori Health Hui will be held on Friday, 27 June 2025 in Tāmaki Makaurau | Auckland. Please save the date. A formal invitation will be sent out soon.
There are a range of initiatives available to enrich the training experience of Māori trainees. This currently includes:
The Indigenous Leadership Fund
The Indigenous Leadership Fund provides funding to help strengthen the clinical and cultural leadership capability of Māori trainees and Fellows. It aims to enrich the training experience such as attendance at conferences, and other educational opportunities. More information about the Leadership Fund, including the application form is available on the RACP website. There are two annual funding rounds, with applications closing for 2025 on Tuesday, 15 April and Tuesday, 30 September.
The Annual Trainee Wānanga
All trainees are invited to attend the Māori Trainee Wānanga in Wellington | Te Whanganui a Tara on Thursday, 14 and Friday, 15 August 2025. This is an annual event and a great opportunity to engage and network with your Māori peers.
The College actively supports all Māori trainees to attend the wānanga. Please save the date in your calendar and consider submitting your leave application now. All Māori trainees will receive an official invitation and registration link for the wānanga in the coming weeks. A letter of support can be provided by emailing the Hauora Māori team.
Wellbeing and performance coaching
Professional coaching through one-on-one online or in-person collaboration with a skilled coach (psychologist) is available to strengthen clinical practice, leadership skills, and work-life balance for trainees. Participation in the program is fully funded, confidential and can be arranged by directly contacting the coaching providers.
Exam preparation for the Divisional Clinical Exam
Clinical exam briefcases
For trainees preparing for the Divisional Clinical Exam and/or other relevant clinical exams, the College offers a complimentary exam bag to support clinical practice. A bag can be requested by emailing the Hauora Māori team.
Trainee Webinar Series
Clinical exam preparation will be supported through the provision of webinars for trainees who are preparing for the Adult Medicine or Paediatrics and Child Health Medicine Clinical Exam. Further details will be provided in the coming weeks.
As the philanthropic arm of the College, RACP Foundation awards fellowships, scholarships, grants and prizes to those who strive to improve the healthcare we all receive.
Opportunities for Māori members include:
Aotearoa New Zealand Education Development Grant
The Aotearoa New Zealand Education Development Grant supports and encourages further educational training or develop educational initiatives in an applicant's field of medical study. The grant is worth up to $10,000 NZD and submissions are open until Monday, 7 April 2025.
The Australasian Chapter of Addiction Medicine (AChAM) Indigenous Prize
The AChAM Indigenous Prize offers Māori trainees the opportunity to attend the International Medicine in Addiction (IMiA) conference or Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs (APSAD) conference in alternating years. The recipient will be reimbursed up to a total of $3,000 AUD to attend the applicable conference for the relevant year. Applications close Sunday, 13 April 2025.
RACP President's Indigenous Congress Prize
The successful recipient of the RACP President's Indigenous Congress Prize receives full trainee registration, return economy domestic or trans-Tasman airfares and up to three nights' accommodation to attend RACP Congress. Applications are open Monday, 1 September to Sunday, 30 November 2025.
The RACP Indigenous Health Scholarship Program
The RACP Indigenous Health Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to support the educational needs of exceptional RACP trainees and medical graduates on the physician or paediatric training pathway. Details for 2026 funding will be advised once available.
More opportunities
Further tomorrow's medicine today
Thank you to those who have contributed to the RACP Foundation to make many of the unrestricted awards possible. Your donation not only helps us fund the best and brightest medical minds across, it inspires the beginning of major medical breakthroughs. Find out more if you would like to make a donation to RACP Foundation. Donations are tax-deductible.
Would you like to represent your College? There are opportunities available for you to get involved in the operation of the College.
Current opportunities include:
More opportunities
The RACP Hauora Māori team works in partnership with the Māori Health Committee to improve Māori health equity and support the growth of the Māori physician workforce.
Dr Dawn-Louise Adair | Lead Fellow, Māori Health
Ko Dawn-Louise toku ignoa. I am a rehabilitation medicine physician, Associate Fellow Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators, wife, and Mum to three kids. In the Lead Fellow role, I work alongside the Māori Health Committee, Kaitohutohu Ahurea, Māori Health registrar and the wider College whānau. My goal is to provide culturally safe support and engagement with Māori members as well as leadership in the development and implementation of initiatives and policies within the College in respect of Māori health.
Ko Tutamoe te maunga
Ko Waikaraka te marae
Ko Kaihu te awa
Ko Kai Iwi te roto
Ko Te Roroa te hapu
Ngati Whatua te iwi
Nicky McCurdy | Cultural Advisor
Kia ora, with many years working in the health and justice sectors and by growing my understanding of Mātauranga Māori on my PhD journey, the barriers whānau Māori face when seeking support is evident. By incorporating the tikanga that surrounds a mana-enhancing journey for our members and staff, we work to reduce these barriers.
Ko Tongariro te maunga
Ko Rotoraira te moana
Ngāti Hikairo te iwi
Ko Otukou me Papakai ngā marae
Ko Nicky McCurdy ahau
Ko au te Kaitohutohu Ahurea mō tēnei Kāreti
Alexandra (Alex) Kinsey | Project Lead, Growing the Indigenous Physician Workforce
Kia ora, my name is Alex. I live in Sydney, Australia, north of the Harbour Bridge on the land of the Darug people and am a mum to three kids. I have worked for many years in health workforce development and planning. At the College, I work alongside the Hauora Māori Team and in partnership with the Māori Health Committee and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Committee. I develop and implement tailored initiatives that aim to provide options for cultural and professional wellbeing, leadership and performance support across the training continuum.
You can email the Hauora Māori team at hauoramaori@racp.org.nz