Lay summary
Many students confident in te reo Māori enter the ‘Health Sciences First Year’ (HSFY) programme as a pathway into health professions. However, despite policy allowing students to submit assessments in te reo Māori, there have been no exam submissions in Māori for any of the seven HSFY papers, indicating a disconnect between policy and application. Using recordings of marking hui from a larger project, this summer studentship will investigate staff perspectives towards te reo submissions. With these findings and my personal experience, as both a student and a te reo Māori marker, I will produce resources to support the HSFY staff with assessments in te reo. The ultimate goal is to make te reo submissions more accessible to students entering the health professions, thereby empowering them to use te reo in their practice and supporting culturally safe environments for Māori whānau seeking healthcare.