A Better Start: E Tipu e Rea

National Science Challenge
Better 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

Thank you to everyone who has applied 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, specifically in the areas of healthy weight, early learning, and mental health and resilience.
Expressions of Interest have now closed, with applications received from researchers based at 11 institutions around the country.
Review panels will now work through the applications, and successful projects will be announced in July.

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

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Improving the potential for all young New Zealanders to lead healthy and successful lives

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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.