Dr Maira Patu is a Māori health advocate, educator, and clinician, dedicated to transforming Aotearoa’s healthcare landscape through kaupapa Māori approaches. As Head of Department at the Māori/Indigenous Health Innovation (MIHI) Unit, University of Otago Christchurch, she enjoys integrating equity-driven education within medical training, ensuring future healthcare professionals are equipped to meet the needs of Māori whānau.
As a General Practitioner, Dr Patu has served in various clinical settings, from South Auckland to South Canterbury, including establishing one of the first Very Low-Cost Access (VLCA) general practices in Waihopai (Invercargill) with Ngā Kete Mātauranga Pounamu. Her leadership in Māori health extends beyond clinical practice into governance, shaping local discussions on health equity.
Dr Maira Patu’s medical journey is a testament to her unwavering commitment to Māori health equity, clinical excellence, and medical education. A proud graduate of the University of Auckland, she earned her Bachelor of Medicine & Surgery (MBChB) and went on to achieve Fellowship with the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (FRNZCGP), demonstrating her expertise in primary healthcare and her dedication to improving health outcomes for whānau Māori.
Her leadership extends beyond the clinic, where she has been instrumental in shaping kaupapa Māori health initiatives. As Clinical Lead for the MIHI Mobile Vaccination Team, she mobilised COVID-19 vaccine clinics tailored to Māori communities, significantly increasing immunisation rates across Canterbury.
Dr Patu’s leadership extends across governance, education, and advocacy, where she has played a pivotal role in advancing kaupapa Māori in healthcare. Through these roles, Dr Patu continues to influence policy, education, and clinical practice, championing a future where Māori health leadership is at the forefront:
- Board Member for Te Tauraki Iwi-Māori Partnership Board, ensuring Māori healthcare priorities are represented at a strategic level.
- Chair of the Hauora Māori Curriculum Sub-Committee at the University of Otago, she leads efforts to embed equity and kaupapa Māori frameworks within medical education, ensuring the next generation of health professionals are well-equipped to serve Māori communities.
- Board Intern, Pegasus Health – Contributing to health system governance by strengthening kaupapa Māori leadership and ensuring Māori perspectives shape decision-making.
- Senior Lecturer, University of Otago, Christchurch – Leading the Hauora Māori curriculum, embedding equity and cultural responsiveness into medical education.
- Conference Speaker & Facilitator – Sharing her expertise on Māori health equity at national and international medical forums, advocating for system-wide change and culturally safe healthcare practices.
Her impact is a powerful reminder that culturally responsive healthcare, informed by Māori values and leadership, is key to transforming Aotearoa’s health system.
Dr Patu has contributed to Māori-led research that challenges systemic inequities, including:
- Māori-Led COVID-19 Vaccination Strategies – Analysed the success of MIHI Māori mobile vaccination clinics to inform future pandemic responses
- CARI Guidelines (2024) – Co-author of the Australian and New Zealand cholesterol-lowering therapy guidelines for chronic kidney disease patients
Dr Patu’s mahi is deeply rooted in whānau and community well-being. She is committed to dismantling barriers to care, ensuring that Māori health outcomes are prioritised in national policy and practice. Her work is paving the way for kaupapa Māori-driven health services, where equity, cultural safety, and whānau ora are at the core of the healthcare system.
“Māori-led solutions are the future of healthcare. We must reclaim our health system, ensuring Māori whānau have access to culturally safe, high-quality medical care.”
Links:
Toitū Te Tiriti New Zealand Medical Journal article February 2024
Implementing an indigenous model of practice Journal article in The Clinical Teacher July 2021
The role of social accountable medical education in addressing health inequity in Aotearoa New Zealand article in the Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand (2019)
Research Gate - Maira Patu's Lab
Radio New Zealand: Māori vaccination rates still dangerously low - health advocates 24 December 2021
The Spin Off: Protecting the pā: Vaccinating against Covid-19 on the marae, 10 August 2021
Radio New Zealand: Free coffee, kai with vaccine offered to Ara students in Ōtautahi 20 October 2021
North & South: An Equal Shot Article September 2021
The Mirage: MIHI awarded Ministry grant to assess Māori Covid vaccine clinic work 22 September 2022
Te Rūnanga of Ngāi Tahu Media Release:Ngāi Tahu Iwi-Māori Partnership Board Members Appointed Jul 14, 2022
Stuff News: Free Covid-19 healthcare message may not be reaching all, community providers say April 03, 2022
23 April 2025
