These researchers used an Indigenous Kaupapa Māori methodology to explore the admission processes of the Māori and Pacific Admission Scheme (MAPAS), a tertiary admission programme that targets Māori and Pacific applicants to nursing, pharmacy and health sciences at the University of Auckland. Data were analysed for the period 2008–2012. Multiple logistic regression models were used to identify the predicted effect of admission variables on the final MAPAS recommendation of best starting point for success in health professional study, i.e., ‘CertHSc’ (Certificate in Health Sciences, bridging/foundation), ‘Bachelor’ (degree-level) or ‘Not FMHS’ (Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences). Of a total of 918 MAPAS interviewees, 319 (35%) were Māori, 530 (58%) Pacific, 68 (7%) Māori/Pacific, 653 (71%) were school leavers, and 662 (72%) were females. The average rank score was 167/320, 40–80 credits below guaranteed FMHS degree offers. Almost half of all interviewees were recommended ‘CertHSc’ as the best starting point (n=428; 47%); 117 (13%) were recommended ‘Bachelor’ and 332 (38%) ‘Not FMHS’. Bachelor recommendation was strongly associated with exposure to Any 2 Sciences (OR 7.897; 95% CI, 3.855 to 16.175; p<0.0001), higher rank score (OR 1.043; 95% CI, 1.034 to 1.052; p<0.0001) and higher scores on the MAPAS mathematics test (OR 1.043; 95% CI, 1.028 to 1.059; p<0.0001). Multiple Mini Interview stations had mixed associations, with academic preparation and career aspirations more consistently associated with recommendations.
