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 teenagers 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 do that only when we work with communities, draw together indigenous and Western approaches to knowledge and bring the best researchers from different disciplines here and overseas to take a holistic approach rather than address health, wellbeing and learning issues in isolation.
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Improving the potential for all young New Zealanders to lead healthy and successful lives
The Science
Collaborative research and science excellence
News
Updates and events.
News and events
HABITs work to maintain good mental health for young people
At the recent International Society for Research on Internet Interventions (ISRII) conference, hosted by The University of Auckland in February, HABITs and associated research on digital tools for parents of younger children was featured, and shared across three different symposia at the conference.
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Move to prevent later childhood obesity
A Better Start’s Model Acceptance study is the first of its kind to explore the acceptability of early childhood obesity prediction in a multi-ethnic cohort of parents, caregivers, and grandparents of children aged five years and under in New Zealand. Using an anonymous online questionnaire distributed nationwide, researchers received a total of 1,934 responses from parents, caregivers, and grandparents of children aged five years and under which could be analysed.
read moreFive year funding confirmed for A Better Start
A Better Start National Science Challenge has secured $20.5m funding to continue its mission-led programme of innovative research to improve the potential of young New Zealanders to lead healthy and successful lives for a further five years from June 2019. The funding...
read moreYoung people miss out the most on mental health services
By Sarah Hetrick and Tania Cargo As researchers supporting mental health and wellbeing for young people, we endorse the focus of He Ara Oranga, the report of the Government Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction, on a more holistic approach to mental health and...
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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.
