Dr Mutu-Grigg opening up session

This whakatauaki refers to the next generation (Te Tira Hou) who are being introduced to medicine through Te Rau Poka Māori Surgical Academy and its partners Pūhoro STEMM, Te Ohu Rata o Aotearoa (Māori Medical Practitioners Association) and also Te Oranga Māori Medical Students Association.

The Māori Health Advisory Group (MHAG) initiated the academy in 2021 and were the first ones to be asked to support it. When asked why they volunteer their time on top of the heavy workload they already carry, MHAG chairperson Dr John Mutu-Grigg had this to say: "The most important thing that anyone can do, is to leave the world in a better place than when we found it. I believe the best way to do that is to be able to prepare the next generation better than we were. I am so grateful to see that the new generation of Māori doctors are so amazing and bring so many skills. I am confident we will leave Māori health in a better place.” Dr Mutu-Grigg is already a legend of the Pūhoro program and for the past seven years he has given his time and enthusiasm generously.

He believes “the passion and ethics of our rangatahi (young people) of today is so uplifting. I know we will hand over the mantle to a superior group. Of course, to do this, we must start right at the beginning, in schools. It is here that just a little nudge can have the most profound effect—to open the eyes of the rangatahi to the amazing world before them and to see what they can achieve if they just give it a try.”

Prof Koea with Dr Tipene as part of mahi

Professor Jonathan Koea has been the Kaiārahi Director of the Māori Surgical Academy for the past five years and says he “absolutely loves doing this mahi. 

“It’s a real privilege to be involved in growing a Māori presence in the world of surgery. Working with our tauira (students) is inspiring; I learn so much from them and our future is secure. They are also bilingual and excel in both worlds. RACS has a footprint now in Aotearoa secondary schools through university and into surgical training. Imagine RACS with 20 per cent surgeons who have Māori whakapapa—we are getting closer to our goal of training 150 surgeons of Māori descent by 2040”. 

Dr Harvey teaching students suturing skills

Funded by the Foundation for Surgery, the Academy is now seeing the results of the agreement with Pūhoro STEMM and the partnerships with Te ORA and Te Oranga. Secondary school students who attended Pūhoro and have now graduated from medical school are coming forward to share their stories and presenting at Pūhoro wānanga(workshops). This year we have more than 12 presenters across six regions in Aotearoa New Zealand. 

Thank you to all the presenters who have given up their time to present. Nā mātou te whiwhi—we are grateful for the support. 

If you would like to help with the program, email us [email protected]