Professor Tony Walls, Co-Leader of Research for Children Aotearoa and Head of the University of Otago, Christchurch’s Paediatric Department (Co-Leader Professor Gail Gillon of the University of Canterbury’s Child Well-being Research Institute).

“Research for Children Aotearoa is an innovative research platform, co-designed with local iwi and launched in 2022. Its focus is on developing collaborations across disciplines and institutions in Aotearoa New Zealand to promote good health and wellbeing for all children.  Research for Children Aotearoa is supported and governed by Te Papa Hauora.

One of principle aims is to target research that advances Pacific and Māori kaupapa, health outcomes and knowledge.

Through our community collaborations we are developing pathways for new researchers. Taliah Su’a is a talented Samoan student who has taken time out of medical school to complete a PhD investigating the impact of rheumatic fever on Māori and Pacific families in Canterbury. She started this working at Etu Pasifica and recently presented some of her early findings at the Pacific Medical Association national conference. Every year we support students like Taliah to come through our summer student programme and hopefully develop an interest in developing a research career.

The support and governance of Te Papa Hauora has been absolutely crucial for the development of this collaborative. With the encouragement they provide we hope to continue to make an impact by developing quality research programmes that are responsive to our community.”