Championing Māori health equity and cultural safety in surgery has seen the University of Auckland’s Dr Jamie-Lee Rahiri named 2025 L’Oréal–UNESCO For Women in Science Fellow.
Currently a third-year general surgery trainee at North Shore Hospital, the senior research fellow has been recognised for improving surgical care for Māori patients and inspiring the next generation of wāhine Māori into surgery.
“My research seeks to embed equity, and improve the cultural safety and effectiveness of surgical care pathways in Aotearoa,” Dr Rahiri says.
“One of the projects that I’m leading right now, that’s quite exciting, is centred on weight-loss outcomes after surgery. This is an area in Aotearoa, unfortunately, that is still growing in the sense that it urgently needs compassion, surgical excellence and equity embedded within its delivery.”
Dr Rahiri is the only New Zealander and one of four across Australasia to win the regional section of the prestigious international awards.
The win follows Dr Rahiri being awarded the John Corboy Medal, the highest honour for a surgical trainee from the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.
Her PhD, Exploring Māori Experiences of Bariatric Surgery, uses a kaupapa Māori approach to redesign surgical pathways, ensuring care is equitable and culturally safe.
“This Fellowship is not just recognition of my work – it acknowledges the communities, mentors, and whānau who have shaped me,” says Dr Rahiri.
“As a doctor, researcher, and mother of three daughters, I want my girls to know they can stand tall in any space they choose. And it reminds me that the work to transform surgery for Aotearoa is only just beginning.”
The L’Oréal–UNESCO For Women in Science Fellowship programme, now in its 18th year in Australia and New Zealand, champions equality and visibility of women in STEMM. Each Fellow receives $25,000 to further their research, with flexibility to use the funding in ways that matter most to them.
“She’s an amazing researcher and clinician who always gives to her community, as well as an amazing mum and partner,” said Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences Deputy Dean, Professor Matire Harwood.
Alex Davison, chief executive officer at L’Oréal Australia & New Zealand, says: “This Fellowship is more than an award; it’s an intergenerational commitment to help women overcome systemic barriers, build leadership skills, and inspire the next generation of scientists.
“With the recent international expansion of Foundation L’Oréal’s For Girls in Science programme and the rollout of UNESCO’s ‘Imagine a World with More Women in Science’ campaign, we’re seeing increased global demand for initiatives that elevate female voices in science.
“This is echoed through government policy. These programmes work together, recognising young girls inspired by science today who become the Fellows of tomorrow, and we are proud to echo these sentiments through our For Women in Science programme.”
