On behalf of Associate Professor Joanne Baxter, Associate Dean (Māori) for the Dunedin School of Medicine, Director of the Māori Health Workforce Development Unit, and Director of Kōhatu Centre for Hauora Māori, welcome to the first edition of Rakatahi. Rakatahi is our new monthly panui for Māori medical students at the University of Otago, containing news, views and updates from the University. Dedicated Māori student support within the Otago Faculty of Medicine and Dunedin School of Medicine is coordinated by James Meager, Tū Tauira Hauora Programme Lead in the Māori Health Workforce Development Unit, and by Anna Dawson and Tui Kent within Kōhatu Centre for Hauora Māori.    Please click here to read more.