Medical Educator Dr Mataroria Lyndon Defends Success of Targeted Māori and Pacific Health Admissions

Writing for The Spinoff on 25 September 2026, Dr Mataroria Lyndon, a senior lecturer in medical education at the University of Auckland’s School of Medicine, has spoken out in support of the Māori and Pacific Admission Scheme (MAPAS). Dr Lyndon, who graduated through the programme in 2011, noted that while the medical school has grown to over 300 students, Māori currently make up less than 6% of the national medical workforce despite representing 18% of the population. Dr Lyndon, a board member of the Te Tiratū Iwi-Māori Partnership Board, argued that growing the Māori and Pacific health workforce is essential for addressing persistent health inequities and a seven-year life expectancy gap. He emphasized that the scheme is not just about university entry, but about ensuring communities have access to clinicians who understand their needs and provide culturally appropriate hauora Māori models of care. Addressing misconceptions regarding academic standards, Dr Lyndon clarified that all students must meet the same rigorous requirements. "We’re all doing the same exams and meeting the same standards," he stated, noting that Māori and Pacific students frequently graduate with distinction and rank among the top of their classes. The doctor, whose PhD research focused on the motivations of medical students, cited the Waitangi Tribunal’s principles of equity and tino rangatiratanga as the foundation for these necessary pathways. As the Māori and Pacific populations continue to grow, Dr Lyndon urged the sector to maintain its commitment to these programmes. He stressed that the goal remains a health system that works for all of Aotearoa by ensuring the workforce reflects the people it serves.