Whakapiki Ake
About Us
Whakapiki Ake is a Māori health workforce recruitment pipeline. It is one of the four components of Vision 20:20, the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences’ commitment to increasing the number of Māori and Pacific health workforce. The remaining three components are, Māori and Pacific Admission Scheme (MAPAS), Hikitia te Ora (Certificate in Health Sciences), and Pacific Health Wayfinders.
Whakapiki Ake Project
Whakapiki Ake is guided by kaupapa Māori and follows a pipeline approach to recruitment, supporting rangatahi from Year 9 to Year 13 (along with their whānau) into tertiary health-related pathways within the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences at Waipapa Taumata Rau (University of Auckland). This approach addresses barriers and inequities across secondary, tertiary, and health sectors that hinder Māori participation, achievement, and retention.
Whakapiki Ake supports over 900 active rangatahi across 134 schools in Te Ika-a-Māui and has 250 enrolled tauira within the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences.
Ongoing support is provided throughout their tertiary journey, leading to graduation. Click here to view the pipeline and learn more about the programme, or watch how Whakapiki Ake can “Uncover Your Future” in this video.
Hikitia Te Ora – Certificate in Health Sciences (CertHSc)
The Certificate in Health Sciences is a one-year foundation programme that prepares Māori and Pacific students for successful tertiary study in health. We focus on academic and scientific literacy, including Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Mathematics and Population Health, which are necessary for success in first-year courses taught at FMHS. See more about the Certificate in Health Sciences here.
MAPAS – Māori and Pacific Admission Scheme
MAPAS is a long-standing programme that provides current and prospective Māori and Pacific FMHS students with admission, academic and pastoral support. Our goal is to encourage MAPAS students to successfully complete and graduate from their programme whilst supporting them on their cultural and academic journey towards a career in health. See more about MAPAS here.
