Annual prize recognises top Māori and Pacific medical students

Both Nathaniel and Opetaia received a $2000 prize for receiving the highest grade of any Māori and Pacific student respectively in the General Practice attachment of the MBChB Part V, which they both completed in 2018. The goal of this prize is to stimulate an interest in general practice as a career among Māori and Pacific students—a field which both graduates are keen to pursue.

Nathaniel was enticed by the variety and scope of general practice, working with patients across a range of ages, ethnicities, socioeconomic backgrounds, cultures and languages.
“General practice is a rewarding career founded on whakawhanaungatanga,” explains Nathaniel. “It presents an important opportunity to advocate for the equitable health outcomes of Māori and Pacific people both at and beyond the interpersonal level.”

Throughout his studies, Nathaniel met many general practitioners who had originally trained across a broad spectrum of subspecialties, as well as general practitioners who went on to train in a specialised area later on in their career.

“I want to fit general practice into my career but I am yet to decide whether this will be earlier or later. It is reassuring that it is always a rewarding option that I can pursue when the time is right.”  

For Opetaia, the biggest drawcard for pursuing a career in general practice is the opportunity to provide long-term care for patients and their families.  

“I have found that the physicians who have the greatest satisfaction from their work are the ones who have invested the most into building strong relationships with their patients. This is a career that I inspire to have as a doctor.”

Opetaia’s prize was further acknowledged at the 2019 SunPix awards, which recognise outstanding individuals in the Pacific community. In his acceptance speech, he encouraged the attendees not be limited by anyone’s opinions of them. “You can do anything you set your mind to,” he said. “Dream big, and you have what it takes to achieve great things.”

ProCare is a large primary care network of qualified family doctors, nurses and general practice teams across the Metro Auckland area covering the three District Health Boards. ProCare is passionate about improving health outcomes and reducing inequalities for Aucklanders, with a focus on Māori and Pacific communities. The have been sponsoring these prizes since 2003.

Previous winners are: