Māori Health Fellowship Launch Celebrates the Beginning of a New Chapter
- nzuklink
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
The NZUK Link Foundation was delighted to welcome guests to a lecture, kindly hosted at University College London, to launch the Māori Health Fellowship in the UK. This event marks an important milestone in the Foundation's commitment to strengthening research links between Aotearoa New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
The evening brought together researchers, healthcare professionals, members of the New Zealand community, and supporters of the Foundation to celebrate the inaugural Fellowship and the opportunities it
will create for emerging Māori health researchers.
Guests heard from the Fellowship's inaugural recipients, Dr Nicole Edwards and Vincent Lomas, who shared insights into their research, their aspirations for the Fellowship, and how this unique opportunity will support their professional development while contributing to improved health outcomes for Māori communities. Their presentations highlighted not only the quality of research being undertaken in Aotearoa New Zealand, but also the importance of international collaboration in addressing complex health challenges.
The audience also heard from Professor Neil Pearce, whose introduction placed the Fellowship within the wider context of Māori health research and the value of building enduring research partnerships between New Zealand and the UK. Together, the speakers reinforced the Fellowship's vision of supporting future leaders in Māori health while fostering meaningful collaboration across institutions and disciplines.
The formal presentations were followed by a panel discussion featuring the two Fellows, and Professor Neil Pearce, moderated by Dr Logan Baber. The conversation explored their research in greater depth, the challenges and opportunities facing Māori health, and the value of international collaboration in advancing health equity. The evening concluded with a question-and-answer session, where guests engaged directly with the panel, prompting thoughtful discussion and highlighting the strong interest and support for the Fellowship's ambitions.
Following the lecture, guests gathered for a reception where conversations continued over refreshments, providing an opportunity for attendees to connect. The evening reflected the Foundation's core purposes: creating opportunities for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and lasting relationships between New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
The Foundation extends its sincere thanks to everyone who joined us for this special occasion. We are particularly grateful to Ngāti Rānana for their wonderful performance during the reception, which brought a strong sense of culture, identity, and connection to the evening. Their contribution helped make the launch a truly memorable celebration of this exciting new Fellowship.
As our inaugural Fellows continue with their UK placements, we look forward to following their journeys and sharing the impact of the Fellowship in the months ahead. This launch marks the beginning of what we hope will become a lasting programme supporting Māori health research and strengthening the enduring relationship between New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
