Michael Mathew Walker ONZM FRSNZ is a biologist at University of Auckland[1] notable for his work engaging with Māori students. He established a mentoring program called Tuākana in 1991,[2] which pairs first year Māori students with more experienced students in an effort to reduce the previously-high drop-out rate. He is of Te Whakatōhea descent.
Walker was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand Te Apārangi in 2003,[3] while in 2009, he was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to science.[4]
In 2011, he won the Prime Minister’s Supreme Award, and a sustained excellence in teaching in a kaupapa Māori context award.[5]