Who is getting into medical school and health courses? Study shows affirmative action’s successes and failures

Medical school building

7 Nov 2024

NZ Herald

Affirmative action programmes at the University of Otago have significantly lifted Māori, Pacific and rural enrolments over the last 30 years but have failed to increase student numbers from poorer backgrounds.

Māori made up 20% of enrolments at the university’s medical school over the last four years, reaching parity with European and Asian enrolments for the first time.

However, the health profession courses at Otago were still dominated by students from wealthy backgrounds and top schools, despite growing efforts to recruit more people from disadvantaged communities.

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TE TIRITI

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