Medical experts defend Māori and Pacific health pathways as critical for community health

Auckland, September 7, 2026 — Professor Sir Collin Tukuitonga, Associate Dean Pacific at the University of Auckland’s Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, is calling for a renewed focus on building a health workforce that reflects the diverse communities of Aotearoa. His comments, reported by Waatea News on Monday, come as political debate intensifies over targeted entry pathways for Māori and Pacific medical students at the University of Auckland and University of Otago. Sir Collin argues that the issue reaches far beyond medical school entrance criteria, touching on the future of healthcare delivery and the reduction of persistent inequities. Current data provided by Professor Warwick Bagg, Dean of Medical and Health Sciences, shows that Māori represent 5.8 percent and Pacific doctors just 2.8 percent of the medical workforce—figures that remain well below their share of the general population. According to the University of Auckland, evidence suggests that Māori and Pacific doctors play a vital role in addressing regional shortages. These practitioners have an 86 percent retention rate in the New Zealand health workforce ten years after registration, slightly higher than the 83 percent rate for Pākehā doctors. Furthermore, they are more likely to work in general practice and in rural areas where the need for clinicians is most acute. Addressing concerns about academic standards, the university emphasized that all students must meet the same rigorous clinical and professional requirements to graduate. The Māori and Pacific Admission Scheme (MAPAS) facilitates entry but does not alter the qualification standards. For many Māori and Pacific patients, having doctors who possess cultural understanding and the ability to build trust is a critical factor in overcoming existing barriers to healthcare access. Sir Collin maintains that who trains as a doctor is fundamental to ensuring the entire population receives effective care.