Replacing an in-person remote marae-based workshop with a virtual workshop is achievable and has value when strong established relationships exist, according to medical student and teacher experiences. Experiences of a virtual marae-based workshop adaptation during the COVID-19 pandemic were analysed via document review and semi-structured interviews. Students found the virtual workshop valuable in furthering their knowledge of Māori culture, cross-cultural communication skills and health inequities in rural clinical practice. They felt some sense of connection with the remote locality and its people. Teachers were able to impart knowledge, connect and keep everyone culturally safe. However, the cultural experience for students was compromised, and the ability to share learning was lost. The authors noted that caution is needed when urban tertiary institutions partner with remote Māori communities to deliver virtual teaching, to ensure transparency in priorities and expectations and to avoid exacerbations of power imbalance and resulting loss of value.
