Hauora Māori Pānui: May 2025
E ngā mana, e ngā reo, e ngā hau e whā – tēnā koutou katoa.
Kua hinga tētahi Tōtara i te wao nui a Tane. Ka tuku mihi ahau ki te whanau o John Morreau, he takuta tamariki, he pukenga rongonui mo tona mahi i Rotorua arā i Aotearoa whanau i ā ngā 1000 rā e timata nei i te tamaiti (First 1,000 Days). Moe mai rā e te papa, i te whakaaro e ora ana ētahi tamaiti i Rotorua, nōu te take.
Ka rongo te pō, ka rongo te ao, huri noa ki te kanohi ora. Naia te mihi ki a koutou katoa i tēna pito, i tēnā pito o Te waka me te ika a Maui.
Firstly, I wish to mihi to the whānau of the recently passed Dr John Morreau. He was a pediatrician and renowned expert for his work in Rotorua on the First 1,000 Days. We acknowledged him formally, as a College, with an all-member message.
Secondly, as I write this second report for this purongo, I have just left a Māori Health Committee meeting. These hui are always somewhat frenetic events, with so much to be discussed within the short timeframe. It was great to receive an update on the progress the taskforce is making on moving the College to a safe and supportive environment for trainees sitting examinations.
For those who may not be aware, the College released a report following a review of complaints about the Paediatric Clinical Examination process over the period of 2021-2023. The review was independently chaired by Aotearoa New Zealand Barrister, Maria Dew KC. The RACP Board has accepted all 18 recommendations and appointed a taskforce to manage the implementation, some of which have already begun.
Although the review focused on the Paediatric Clinical Examination, the RACP has taken the stance that these complaints are not isolated to this area. Those of us in the adult medicine part of the College know that these issues extend through all aspects of the College, and it is crucial to address them comprehensively
The implementation plan proposes two phases of delivery:
- priorities for the 2025 Divisional Clinical Examination (DCE) cycle
- priorities for 2026 onwards include broader governance and process improvements and consideration of structural change to the DCE format.
I think the biggest piece of work is that most, if not all, examiners this year will have unconscious bias and cultural awareness training. I am pushing that this be a yearly requirement, just like calibration is. No training, no examining. We know that cultural safety is clinical safety and so demonstrating this as a requirement to examine should be seen as mandatory and welcomed. Especially as examiners see examining as good continuing medical education and so the addition of this, I am sure will be welcomed.
I look forward to seeing as many of you at the Māori Trainee Wānanga in August, which you can find more about below. As we all know, the winter months are always busier for physicians and paediatricians. Keep yourselves well, rest and get plenty of R&R.
Noho ora mai
Ngā manaakitanga
Dr Matt Wheeler
RACP Māori Health Committee Chair
The Māori Health Committee recently held a dedicated strategy development day, guided by the expertise of kaupapa Māori experts, Arihina Consultants. The purpose of the strategy is to establish the vision and values, or pou | pillars, as guiding principles for the RACP. Through collaborative discussions, key priorities and strategic goals were identified. Recognising the importance of a dedicated strategy, the Committee is ensuring its mahi is purposeful and aligned with the aspirations of our Māori caucus and the broader Māori community.
The strategy will serve as a vital tool for the Māori Health Committee to advocate and guide the RACP effectively on Māori health and to address systemic inequities. It will also directly support the RACP’s strategic priorities of growing the Indigenous physician workforce and fostering a culturally safe and responsive College. These are critical steps in embedding the Indigenous Object in the RACP Constitution. Alongside the action plan, the strategy will provide a clear framework for progress, helping the Committee track outcomes and ensure the work makes a meaningful impact.
Pictured: Māori Health Committee members collaborating at the recent strategic development day
Next steps: advancing the strategy
The Hauora Māori team is finalising the draft strategy in close partnership with key stakeholders, including the Strategy and Transformation Team and the Indigenous Strategic Framework team. This collaborative mahi ensures the strategic pou | pillars align with the RACP's overarching strategic goals and the priorities of the Indigenous Strategic Framework.
Once finalised, the draft will be reviewed by the Māori Health Committee before being shared with you, the Māori caucus, for input and reflection. The final strategy will then be submitted to the RACP Board for approval, anchoring it in our shared vision for Māori health and advocacy. The Hauora Māori team anticipates launching the Māori Health Committee Strategy in quarter three of 2025.
The Māori Health Committee will also gather for its first formal meeting of the year on Monday, 12 May, in Te Whanganui-a-Tara | Wellington. The agenda reflects a strong strategic focus and includes discussions on the Māori trainee journey, policy and advocacy workflows, data sovereignty, and a review of the Committee’s workplan progress. The Committee will also welcome our CEO, Mr Steffen Faurby, to the hui.
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 & 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 & 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
Last month, we provided a submission on the Manatū Hauora | Ministry of Health’s Putting Patients First: Modernising health workforce regulation consultation. The submission outlines the College’s concerns about physician associate regulation.
For further insight, particularly from an equity perspective, please read our media release, which was published in the New Zealand Doctor Rata Aotearoa. It includes commentary from the Aotearoa New Zealand President and the Chair of the Māori Health Committee.
Thank you to those of you who shared your expertise and opinions, which shaped our submission. Your insights, especially on the impact of reducing cultural requirements, are crucial to ensuring culturally safe care for Māori communities.
Read the submission l Media release
Last year, the Hauora Māori Team designed a pin as a symbol of kotahitanga for our Māori membership. It is seen as a small way to connect with other Māori doctors and medical students in the hospital. The tāniko design was created by Kaaterina Kerekere (Te Aitanga a Hauiti, Ngai Tāmanuhiri) specifically for RACP.
The foundation of this design comes from Waharua kōpito tāniko motif. It is created using vertically paired diamond shapes. The literal translation is ‘a point where people or events cross’. This stylised version of the pattern refers to the notion of transformation and change that occurs at such meeting points.
For RACP, it symbolises the trans-Tasman training relationship of the College, connecting the Indigenous peoples of two nations and brining together medical specialists with patients.
We look forward to bringing these to you directly within your hospitals in the second half of the year as Dr Dawn-Louise Adair, the Lead Fellow for Māori Health, supports outreach to members.
Pictured: Dr Matthew Wheeler, Māori Health Committee Chair and Dr Nathaniel Carter, Adult Medicine trainee wearing the kia ora pins and the pin design.
The Māori Health Hui that was planned for Friday, 27 June 2025 in Tāmaki Makaurau | Auckland has unfortunately been postponed. We are working on securing a new date and will update you as soon as possible. We apologise for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.
All trainees are invited to attend the Māori Trainee Wānanga in Te Whanganui a Tara | Wellington 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 wānanga will be held at two locations, Te Herenga Waka Marae at Victoria University of Wellington on Thursday, 14 August and the RACP Aotearoa New Zealand office in Wellington CBD on Friday, 15 August. The program has incorporated feedback from last year’s attendees and is set to include sessions to support whakawhanaungatanga amongst trainees, Māori leadership development, navigating training and employment as well as exploring research opportunities. The Hauora Māori Team is excited to be able to support hosting this event this year.
Register now
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.
The Aotearoa New Zealand Prevocational Webinar is aimed at Māori doctors who are considering physician and paediatric training. The webinar will be hosted on Zui on Wednesday, 18 June 2025 from 7pm to 8pm NZST and supported by members of the Māori caucus. Communications are set to go out to Te Ora and Te Oranga but please consider sharing among your networks.
Register now
The RACP Trainee Research Awards Symposium 2025 is a free hybrid event that is open to members and non-members of the RACP. It will be held on Friday, 8 August 2025 from 4.45pm to 8pm NZST and you can attend online.
Support the Aotearoa New Zealand trainee, Dr Aya Amer, when she and the other 2024 award recipients present their research at the Trainee Research Awards Symposium. For those who are thinking of participating in the Trainee Research Awards, this is a great way to be inspired.
Register now
To find out more about RACP events and other events you may be interested in, please visit the events listing on the RACP website.
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. RACP Aotearoa New Zealand trainees and Fellows are eligible to apply for most awards. Please refer to the RACP Foundation webpages for information on specific eligibility requirements for each award.
Research Entry Scholarships
Applications for Research Entry Scholarships are currently open. The scholarships provide stipend support for researchers in their early career, including the Aotearoa New Zealand Research Entry Scholarship. It is worth up to NZD$45,000 and applications are open until Tuesday, 15 July 2025.
Research Development Grants/Scholarships
Research Development Grants/Scholarships provide funding for smaller research projects for beginning researchers. Applicants can undertake a short-term or part-time research project. They include the Aotearoa New Zealand Research Development Scholarship, which is worth up to NZD$20,000. Applications are open Tuesday, 17 June to Thursday, 31 July 2025.
Travel Grants
Travel Grants are intended to support short periods of research. They may be used to cover travelling or re-establishment costs for those taking up a postdoctoral fellowship overseas or research training. Applications are open Tuesday, 17 June to Thursday, 31 July 2025.
One of the Travel Grants is the Dr Pamela Brown Travelling Fellowship (Aotearoa New Zealand), which is a new opportunity worth up to NZD$15,000. It provides the opportunity for an Aotearoa New Zealand gastroenterologist within five years of Fellowship to travel overseas to advance their knowledge overseas in the field gastroenterology. The Fellowship can be used for both education and research. Applications are open Tuesday, 17 June to Thursday, 31 July 2025.
The Aotearoa New Zealand Research Development Scholarship
The Aotearoa New Zealand Research Development Scholarship and the other scholarships in this category provide support and encourage research. Funds can be used for project support or stipend, worth up to NZD$20,000. Applications are open Tuesday, 17 June to Thursday, 31 July 2025.
The RACP Trainee Research Awards provide a valuable opportunity for trainees to present their research at an Aotearoa New Zealand or Australian event. The best presenters from each local event are invited to present their work alongside recognised researchers at an RACP event the following year.
All trainees of RACP Aotearoa New Zealand are encouraged to apply to be part of the
RACP Trainee Research Awards. Applications for 2026 are open from
1 July to 31 August 2025. Please see the
website for further details and eligibility criteria.
The Trainee Research Awards Symposium
For those who are thinking of participating in the Trainee Research Awards, we encourage you to attend the Trainee Research Awards Symposium to support your peers and be inspired. It will be held on Friday, 8 August 2025 from 4.45pm to 8pm NZST and you can attend online.
The College annually recognises the outstanding contributions and achievements of its members in their respective fields through the Meritorious Prizes bestowed at the annual convocation ceremonies.
Nominations are now open for the following opportunities:
Eric Susman Prize
The Eric Susman Prize is a prestigious award for the best contribution to the knowledge of any branch of internal medicine. It is presented at the College Convocation Ceremony. Nominations are open until Friday, 15 August 2025.
College Medals and Awards
Awarded annually, these College Medals and Awards are an acknowledgement by peers of outstanding contributions and achievements which might not otherwise be recognised publicly. Nominations for 2026 Awards are open until Sunday, 31 August 2025.
- The John Sands Medal for significant contribution to the welfare of the College
- The College Medal “hominum servire saluti” for significant contribution to medical practice, healthcare, and health of the people/community
- The RACP International Medal
- The RACP Medal for Clinical Services in Rural and Remote Areas
- The RACP Mentor of the Year Award
- The RACP Trainee of the Year Award
Full details for all awards are available on the RACP Foundation webpage or email the Foundation Team for more information.
There are a range of initiatives available to enrich the training experience of Māori trainees. This currently includes:
The Indigenous Leadership Fund provides funding to help strengthen the clinical and cultural leadership capability of Māori trainees and Fellows. Submit your application form by Tuesday, 30 September 2025.
2024 Indigenous Scholarship Recipients
We are pleased to showcase two of last year’s Indigenous Scholarship recipients, Dr Nathaniel Carter and Dr Timonthy Hopgood.
Dr Nathaniel Carter – Aotearoa Māori Health Scholarship
Dr Nathaniel Carter is a Māori (iwi: Ngāti Kahu ki Whaingaroa/ Ngāpuhi ki Whaingaroa) and Niuean doctor who is currently working as an Advanced Trainee in general medicine at Royal Darwin Hospital. He completed his medical degree at the University of Auckland in 2019 and worked at Auckland City, Whangārei, and Hawke’s Bay Hospitals before continuing and concluding his basic training at Royal Darwin Hospital. His personal interests include learning languages, and he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 2023 at Massy University with a major in Spanish and minors in French and Māori. He also received a Diploma in Languages in 2021 from the University of Auckland with majors in Māori and Japanese, and a Diploma in Te Pīnakitanga ki te Reo Kairangi from Te Wānanga o Aotearoa in 2020. His career aspirations include clinical immunology, rheumatology, and dermatology.
Dr Timothy Hopgood – Aotearoa New Zealand Pacific Islander Health Scholarship
Dr Tim Hopgood is both the first Tongan and the first Māori doctor to undertake dual training in paediatrics and psychiatry and will continue working in both specialties. He is passionate about changing trajectories, advocacy and pursuing excellence. Tim loves working with youth, including the complete candid honesty of preschoolers, and their families. He is also a researcher, having won several awards from the University of Auckland during his medical degree and presented research papers. He is currently completing a Master of Health Sciences through the University of Auckland. He has a record of clinical governance having proven his leadership skills in roles including being the Aotearoa co-chair of the Aotearoa New Zealand Trainees Committee and the former Secretary-Treasurer of the New Zealand Resident Doctors Association. He sees the skills from each of these four crafts synergise and provide different angles from which to help improve the health of children in Aotearoa and address the significant disparities and poor outcomes his community experiences.
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.
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.
Paediatrics & Child Health Divisional Clinical Examination support
We’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Dr Liza Edmonds for generously leading a mock clinical exam preparation day to assist Māori and Pacific Basic Trainees to prepare for the Paediatrics & Child Health Divisional Clinical Examination.
We also thank Dr Liza Edmonds, Dr Erik Andersen and Dr Lela Yap for their commitment and dedication to supporting RACP trainees. Dr Edmonds was inspired to help after benefiting from the support of Dr Leo Buchannan as a trainee herself. This is a wonderful example of giving back and helping to grow the next generation of Māori and Pacific paediatricians.
Pictured (from left to right): Dr Cory Malbon, Dr Kaylarina Fuatai, Dr Rowena Peters, Dr Liza Edmonds, Dr Erik Anderson and Dr Lela Yap.
Would you like to represent your College? There are various opportunities available for you to get involved with.
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.
In the last pānui, we introduced Dr Dawn-Louise Adair (Lead Fellow, Māori Health), Nicky McCurdy (Cultural Advisor), and Alex Kinsey (Project Lead, Growing the Indigenous Physician Workforce).
We are pleased to introduce Cat Boyle to the team, who is our Senior Project Officer. Cat will work closely with Dr Adair to support her ongoing workflow as Lead Fellow of Māori Health. Cat will be based at our Te Whanganui a Tara | Wellington office. She has a background in public health and experience working in both Aotearoa New Zealand and the United Kingdom's healthcare systems. She is dedicated to advancing kaupapa Māori initiatives that empower you, the College’s Māori members. If you would like to korero or have any ideas, please contact Cat.
Pictured: members of the RACP Hauora Māori Team (left to right): Dr Dawn-Louise Adair, Nicky McCurdy, Alex Kinsey and Cat Boyle
Have a question for the RACP Hauora Māori team?
We are here to support you. Please contact us if you need assistance by emailing us on: hauoramaori@racp.org.nz
As healthcare workers who dedicate our lives to helping others, it’s important to take the time to care for ourselves. We would like to remind everyone that it's okay to not be okay. If you need someone to talk to, you can reach out to the RACP Support Program. It's a free, 24/7 and completely confidential support service that is delivered externally through Converge International.
Whether you have something worrying on your mind, are finding getting out of bed to be a struggle, or just feel like talking to someone for helpful, judgement-free advice, this free support service may be just what you need.
Make an appointment or speak directly with a Converge consultant or 0800 666 367
Any information you give to Converge is completely confidential between you and your consultant.