Lay summary
Recent research has shown that Māori wait longer on surgical waitlists through the public health system and experience higher rates of postoperative death following major surgery in Aotearoa. These mortality rates are particularly higher if that surgery is planned. Research describing surgical care and outcomes for Māori have largely been performed 'on' Māori without genuine partnership with Māori. With the support of a Health Delivery Research Activation Grant (HRC 21/860), our team conducted a scoping review of all published studies describing surgical disease, care, experiences and postoperative outcomes for Māori. This study examined over 200 studies including their responsiveness to Māori using a framework we developed to help guide surgical researchers to conduct responsive research in partnership with Māori. Te Ara Pokanga will (re)present these findings through the publication and dissemination of a formal report to guide research and healthcare policy dedicated to eliminating health inequities for Māori in surgery.