8 September 2026

The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) is calling on the Government to immediately release the independent review of the Māori and Pacific Admission Scheme (MAPAS) at the University of Auckland and Te Kauae Parāoa at the University of Otago.

The RACP's Māori Health Committee (MHC) and Pacific Peoples Member Advisory Group (PPMAG) say the review should be released in full, together with the evidence underpinning its findings, so the public, medical profession and communities can understand how the conclusions were reached and assess the evidence for themselves.

Dr Matt Wheeler, Chair of the RACP MHC, said decisions about programmes that support the future medical workforce should be guided by evidence.

"Both universities have indicated that their programmes meet or exceed the expectations set out in the review's terms of reference. If that is the case, the public and the medical profession deserve the opportunity to consider the evidence rather than continue debating opinions without it."

"Māori doctors are essential to improving health outcomes for Māori and non-Māori communities alike. We cannot improve Māori health outcomes without growing the Māori medical workforce, and programmes such as MAPAS and Te Kauae Parāoa are an important part of that pipeline."

Dr Tim Hopgood, Chair of the RACP PPMAG, said the debate should focus on what works to build the workforce Aotearoa New Zealand needs.

"Pacific peoples remain underrepresented in medicine and continue to experience significant health inequities. We need more Pacific doctors, not fewer."

"There have been claims these programmes are discriminatory. If those claims are being made, the review should be released so the public can see the evidence and make up their own minds."

RACP Aotearoa New Zealand President Dr Janak de Zoysa said the College supports the call from its Māori Health Committee and Pacific Peoples Member Advisory Group for the review to be released.

"The MAPAS and Te Kauae Parāoa schemes, the Regional Rural Admission Scheme, and the Undergraduate Targeted Admission Scheme are designed to address barriers to medical education and support a medical workforce that better reflects the communities of Aotearoa New Zealand."

"Decisions about programmes that shape the future of our medical workforce should be made on the basis of published evidence, not assertion."

"The College supports the call for the review, together with the evidence underpinning its findings, to be released so the public, medical profession, and communities can assess the findings for themselves."

"We urge the Minister to release the review without delay."