Whakapiki Ake
C.O.A.C.H
Creating Opportunities for Career in Health (C.O.A.C.H) is a 4-day indigenous health education wānanga (Thursday to Sunday), generally held in May, at Waipapa Marae, Waipapa Taumata Rau (The University of Auckland). This preparation program supports Year 13 Māori students preparing to transition into health-related degrees at the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences (FMHS). The kaupapa is ideal for rangatahi seriously considering Māori health careers and provides essential FMHS preparation for University of Auckland health programs.
Hear directly from past participants about their C.O.A.C.H. experience:
Programme Overview
C.O.A.C.H. provides comprehensive preparation, helping you prepare academically, culturally, and socially for university life. Tauira will experience what it’s like to attend lectures with the Hikitia te Ora cohort, meet Vision 20:20 staff, including MAPAS, tuākana, and senior lecturers, and become familiar with key parts of the FMHS journey. This indigenous health education program includes workshops on credit mapping, scholarships, NCEA Level 3 science planning, and university applications designed to ensure a smooth transition into tertiary study. There are also guided tours of the residence halls and other campus spaces, helping tauira build confidence in their new environment.
Whakawhanaungatanga & Cultural Foundation
Kaumātua support the pōwhiri process and help guide the cultural aspects of the wānanga. As tauira move through the experience, they engage with mātauranga Māori, whakawhanaungatanga, and tuākana-tēina relationships. The values of manaakitanga and aroha ki te tangata are woven throughout, creating a strong foundation for learning and belonging. Building a sense of whānau is core to the C.O.A.C.H. kaupapa. Across the four days, tauira leave with clarity about their health science pathway and connections that support them well beyond the wānanga. This is where the pathway to Māori success in health begins.
C.O.A.C.H Success Stories
“It introduced me to the importance of Māori health careers. I had already started to take a liking to sciences but this medical school preparation has only just encouraged me further.”
Year 13 from William Colenso College
“For me, I was able to step well out of my comfort zone, make strong friendships within my group I was put in as well as tauira from other groups. I’m already counting down the days until the next indigenous health education event!”
Year 13 from Sacred Heart Girls’ College
“This opportunity solidified my passion for wanting to work in a health career and helping others. My favourite part of this kaupapa was whakaaro pai, the anatomy room. It was weird to see organs that I know are inside me.”
Year 13 from New Plymouth Girls’ High School
“It’s helped me know and learn where I want to go, what I want to do, what I need to do and how to get the most out of University for my health science pathway.”
Year 12 from Hato Pāora
