Michael Walker (biologist)

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.

At 2019 Research Honours Aotearoa

Walker was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand Te Apārangi in 2003.^[3] In the 2009 Queen's Birthday Honours, 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]