A Better Start: E Tipu e Rea
National Science ChallengeBetter science together for a better start in life
OUR CHILDREN ARE THE FUTURE
Every child should have the best possible start in life. To achieve this A Better Start researchers are creating the tools and methods to predict, prevent and intervene early so children have a healthy weight, are successful learners and they can access the tools they need to look after their mental health.
A Better Start is the National Science Challenge working to help children, teenagers, their whanau and family achieve the best possible start in life. Our job is to find practical, evidence-based solutions that make a measurable difference for tamariki.
We can achieve this by working with communities, drawing together indigenous and Western approaches to knowledge and bringing together the best researchers from different disciplines here and overseas to take a holistic approach rather than addressing health, wellbeing and learning issues in isolation.
MULTIMILLION DOLLAR FUNDING FOR CHILD HEALTH RESEARCH
Joint Funding Round – A Better Start and Cure Kids
From the Director
A Better Start: E Tipu e Rea has more than 160 researchers delivering excellent science to give our tamariki a better start in life. They come from many different disciplines and organisations, but are united in their commitment. Our researchers share a collaborative approach and through the He Awa Whiria (braided rivers) model weave together knowledge from differing sources that flow together to progress the wellbeing of tamariki.
Ngā mihi,
Professor Wayne Cutfield
Challenge Director

About
The Science
Collaborative research and science excellence
News
Updates & events from A Better Start: E Tipu e Rea
News and events
Read our latest newsletter
Our latest newsletter is out. Read HERE about A Better Start's major project announcements, research news, funding round updates, latest publications and much more.
Meet the Researcher – Professor Rachael Taylor
Professor Rachael Taylor, leads A Better Start's strategic research project, Moemoea, which looks at sleep, health, communication & wellbeing of pepi and their whānau. Can you tell us about Moemoea and why it's important? Getting sufficient good quality sleep is...
Pilot study leads to national school rollout
An innovative literacy programme, developed with funding from A Better Start National Science Challenge, is being rolled out to the nation's schools. The programme, known as the Better Start Literacy Approach (BLSA), is part of the Ministry of Education’s major new...
Joint funding round update
A raft of applications have been received for A Better Start and Cure Kids' $4 million joint funding round for child health research. A Better Start and Cure Kids had called for proposals for high quality translational research to improve child and youth wellbeing,...
Announcing the Lifecourse project
The lifelong impact of chronic diseases on New Zealand families is at the centre of a major new research programme. Three of the government’s National Science Challenges – A Better Start, Healthier Lives and Ageing Well – are collaborating to develop a research...
WEBINAR #2 Cure Kids and A Better Start joint funding round Q&A
A Better Start and Cure Kids has launched a $4 million contestable fund in child health research. Expressions of Interest close on 17 February 2021. In this webinar, hosted on February 2, 2021, A Better Start Director Wayne Cutfield and Cure Kids Director of Research...
E Tipu e Rea
Grow and Branch Forth
E Tipu e Rea is A Better Start’s Māori name.
In 1949, shortly before his death, Māori leader and scholar Sir Āpirana Turupa Ngata of Ngāti Porou wrote into the autograph book of schoolgirl Rangi Bennett a passage about his vision for Māori youth.
E tipu e rea mō ngā rā o tō ao
Ko tō ringa ki ngā rākau a te Pākehā
Hei ora mō te tinana
Ko tō ngākau ki ngā tāonga a ō tīpuna Māori
Hei tikitiki mō tō māhuna
Ko tō wairua ki tō atua
Nānā nei ngā mea katoa.
Grow and branch forth for the days destined to you
Your hands to the tools of the Pākehā
For the welfare of your body
Your heart to the treasures of your ancestors
adornments for your brow
Your spirit to god
Who made all things.
