Rate My Professor Etuini Ma'u

Dr Etuini Ma'u is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Psychological Medicine at the University of Auckland, a position he has held since April 2020. He also serves as a Consultant Psychiatrist specialising in old age psychiatry with Te Whatu Ora Waikato, an appointment he has maintained since December 2011. He is a Doctoral Candidate in the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, School of Medicine at the University of Auckland. His research focuses on dementia, including modifiable risk factors, ethnic differences in dementia prevalence and medication use, prevention strategies, and health equity for Pacific peoples in New Zealand. Key publications include the 2024 paper 'Rethinking dementia prevention in Aotearoa New Zealand' and the 2025 paper 'Variation of the Risk Associated With Potentially Modifiable Risk Factors for Dementia Between Ethnic Groups Within One Country', both co-authored with colleagues such as Sarah Cullum and Gary Cheung. Additional work examines funded anti-dementia medication use by ethnicity, age, and sex in New Zealand, as well as barriers to community services for Pacific elders aged 60 and over. In 2022, Dr Ma'u was selected as an Alzheimers NZ Fellow. He has contributed to reports on dementia in New Zealand produced by academics in the Department of Psychological Medicine and has presented findings on topics such as the epidemiology of young onset dementia and bilingualism as a potential protective factor against cognitive decline. His professional interests centre on psychiatry, dementia research, Pacific equity, and mental health in Aotearoa New Zealand and the broader Pacific region.

Dr Ma'u was born in Tonga and completed much of his early education there before attending Wesley College in New Zealand and undertaking medical training at the University of Auckland. He is a fluent Tongan speaker and has engaged in research collaborations addressing mental health surveys in Tonga and dementia prevention tailored to diverse ethnic groups. His work highlights the impact of socioeconomic factors such as poverty on dementia rates and emphasises lifelong brain health approaches. Dr Ma'u has delivered webinars on statistics for clinicians and participated in public discussions on cognitive reserve, social isolation, and culturally appropriate support for those experiencing dementia. He maintains an active role in academic and clinical settings focused on improving outcomes for older adults and Pacific communities.

Professional Email: etuini.ma'u@auckland.ac.nz