Tīmatangia Te Puea: Building the future Māori health workforce

Wednesday 16 September 2026 | The Pā, Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato

Te Rau Ora joined iwi, hauora leaders, medical professionals and Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato for Tīmatangia Te Puea: Service, Excellence and Collective Responsibility, a hui focused on the future of the Māori medical workforce.

Held at The Pā, Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato, the kaupapa drew inspiration from the legacy of Te Puea Hērangi and her commitment to Māori health, collective responsibility and practical action. The hui created space for iwi and the New Zealand Graduate School of Medicine (NZGSM) to share aspirations, strengthen relationships and explore opportunities to work together.

Growing Māori leadership across the health system

Te Rau Ora CEO Riki Nia Nia joined Riana Manuel and Associate Professor Polly Atatoa Carr for a panel kōrero on hauora Māori workforce development. The session explored what the future Māori health workforce could look like, what will support Māori doctors to work in communities where they are most needed, and where NZGSM can make a meaningful contribution.

Riki highlighted the need for Māori influence across all parts of the health system, supported by deliberate and intentional pathways into health careers and leadership. This requires a long-term approach, beginning at kōhanga and continuing through to specialist workforce development.

He also spoke about the importance of sustainable funding, strong relationships and genuine partnerships with iwi and kaupapa partners. These foundations are essential for developing kaimahi and creating new leaders and champions, including a workforce that wants to live and work within rural communities.

Addressing structural barriers

Riki challenged the sector to be clearer in naming institutional racism and developing robust policies and approaches to address the structural barriers Māori continue to experience. While these issues are embedded within systems, they can be changed through collective commitment and action.

For iwi, the focus remains firmly on oranga. Whānau have an important role as a first port of call, alongside strengthening health literacy and ensuring Māori communities can influence the systems and services intended to support them.

A workforce that reflects our communities

The kōrero aligned closely with the wider kaupapa of the day. NZGSM aims to grow a medical workforce that reflects the communities it serves, increase Māori participation in medicine, and improve access to primary and community care, particularly in rural and provincial communities.

Across the hui, conversations explored Māori workforce development, the experiences of Māori medical graduates, iwi partnership and influence, and what needs to be in place to create stronger pathways for tauira Māori into medicine.

Tīmatangia Te Puea was a starting point for continued kōrero, stronger relationships and collective action towards a health workforce that better reflects and serves our people.

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