MAS supports Māori medical practitioners

It’s not every week you get to take part in a special gala event, and MAS was proud to sponsor and present 2 awards at this year’s Te Ohu Rata o Aotearoa - Māori Medical Practitioners conference in Rotorua.  

In late September, doctors from across the country hung up their stethoscopes and swapped their scrubs for suits and dresses at the annual Te Ohu Rata o Aotearoa - Māori Medical Practitioners awards evening.  

Held at the event centre at Rotorua’s Te Puia geothermal park, MAS sponsored 2 special awards at this year’s gala dinner: the Iwi Health Award in memory of Dr Tony Ruakere, which acknowledges those who have gone above and beyond for their iwi and community, and Te Ngakau Ora Award in memory of Dr Paratene Ngata, presented to those who have given a high level of service, mentorship and support to Māori doctors and students. 

This year’s Iwi Health Award winner, Dr Grace Malcolm (Ngati Tuwharetoa, Te Arawa), says she was honoured to be recognised for her mahi, and inspired by the amount of talent at the gala evening. 

"The award ceremony was stunning and showcased our awesome rangatahi (young people) coming through in the medical arena. It was heartwarming to see a few of the people recognised who had contributed to improving Maori health outcomes  - we know there are many unsung and unrecognised kaimahi (workers) in primary care and throughout a range of healthcare spaces." 

The Rotorua-based General Practitioner says it’s her passion for helping people that drives her in her work, and she’s particularly focused on making sure Māori are better supported in healthcare.  

“As a GP, I love being able to make a difference to someone’s outlook and perception of their health, and part of it comes from having meaningful connection and engagement with people. But I won't be satisfied until all Māori have access to healthcare in spaces that are comfortable for them to engage.” 

For Te Ngakau Ora Award winner Dr Sarah Sciascia (Ngati Maniapoto), the annual Te ORA Hui ā-Tau is about celebrating the successes of fellow Māori medical practitioners.  

'The highlight of hui ā-tau is reconnecting with my Te ORA whānau. Tākuta Māori (Māori doctors) work tirelessly both academically and clinically to ensure iwi Māori receive best practice healthcare. Hui ā-tau gives us an opportunity to be whānau together by stopping and reflecting on our journeys. 

“I felt very honoured to receive our Ngakau Ora award. Paratene Ngata was a pivotal part of Te ORA's early days, and he left a lasting legacy that many of us will cherish for years to come. To be acknowledged by my Te ORA whānau for simply caring for them, means a lot to me. Our tākuta (doctors)  and tauira (students) Māori extend themselves beyond what is physically, emotionally and spiritually possible a lot of the time, so sending aroha in their direction comes easily for me.” 

Alongside the awards evening, the 4-day Hui-a-Tau included a range of scientific conferences and wānanga. There was also a Medical Colleges Career Expo Day, where MAS team members Tanya Hansen and Siddarth Suchdev met with aspiring medics at the MAS stall. 

The overall theme of this year’s Te Ohu Rata o Aotearoa - Māori Medical Practitioners Hui-a-Tau was “Kia mate ururoa, kei mate wheke – May we be guided by courage, not fear”. With the theme in mind, participants were encouraged to share their stories of when they showed courage in the workplace, whether it meant speaking up in a meeting, putting their name to a project, or initiating change in the face of resistance. 

With a goal to provide Māori medical leadership to the health sector, Te ORA represents Māori medical students and doctors working as clinicians, researchers and teachers. Fore more, see teora.maori.nz