26 November 2025
Championing Māori health equity through surgical research and leadership
Dr Jamie-Lee Rahiri (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Whātua o Kaipara, Te Ātihaunui-a-Pāpārangi) is a General Surgery trainee and award-winning researcher whose work is transforming surgical care for Māori communities in Aotearoa New Zealand. Her research addresses disparities in surgical outcomes and advocates for culturally safe practices across multiple specialities.
A key focus of Jamie-Lee’s research is reframing how conditions like obesity and heart disease – both disproportionately prevalent within Māori communities – are viewed amongst the medical community and treated. By shifting these narratives, Jamie-Lee’s work is helping deliver more equitable and culturally informed treatments amongst patients.
Outside of her immediate research, Jamie-Lee has been recognised as an outstanding individual in her field, with her PhD named among the top five doctoral theses in 2020. She has also since received the prestigious John Corboy Medal and the University of Auckland Early Career Research Excellence Award.
Her work integrates clinical training, research excellence, and community engagement to drive systemic change in health equity. Through her initiatives, Jamie-Lee is not only improving surgical care for Māori patients but also inspiring the next generation of wāhine Māori in STEMM.