Dedicated Māori health advocate recognised with College of GPs award

Tamaki Makaurau based Registrar (GP in training) Dr Matire Harwood (Ngā Puhi) has been awarded a Community Service Medal at GP22: the Conference for General Practice.

The Community Service Medal recognises members who have made an outstanding contribution to general practice through work in their own communities.  

Dr Harwood has a passion for improving Māori health and reducing health inequities. She does this by working as a general practitioner at Papakura Marae Health Clinic in South Auckland and as a Senior Lecturer in Māori Health at the University of Auckland where she teaches students and acts as a supervisor for Māori doctoral students.

College President Dr Samantha Murton says, “Dr Harwood is well-known as a Hauora Māori leader and her passion for improving Māori health outcomes through research, advocacy, education and clinical practice is really making a difference.”

Her interests have also led to Dr Harwood to undertake medical research on asthma, heart disease and diabetes.

Throughout the COVID-19 response Dr Harwood has also been a regular commentator in the media about the importance of vaccination and boosters, vaccine hesitancy, and changes to Alert Levels to ensure vulnerable communities are as safe as possible.