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.
$1M RESEARCH FUNDING TO IMPROVE PASIFIKA CHILD HEALTH
Two-year project gets underway
A Better Start National Science Challenge is funding a major research project aimed at the prevention of obesity, prediabetes and poor dental health among Pacific children.
The two-year project has been granted $1M in funding and will be led by Associate Professor Tupa’ilevaililigi Riz Firestone, a senior researcher at the Research Centre for Hauora and Health at Massey University. Associate Professor Firestone has also been appointed as A Better Start’s new Pasifika Strategy theme leader.
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
Young learners benefit from new literacy approach
A comprehensive programme to lift the literacy skills of all learners in their first year at school is having "out of this world" results, says a Waikato principal. The Better Start Literacy Approach (BSLA) was developed by Professors Gail Gillon and Brigid McNeill...
Watch: Beyond the ABCs of Vitamin D webinar
Discover the latest in childhood Vitamin D deficiencies in this webinar hosted by A Better Start National Science Challenge, Cure Kids and the Paediatric Society of New Zealand. Vitamin D influences many aspects of a child’s growth and development, and Vitamin D...
Kia ora to our new Science Advisory Panel members
Welcome to our two new Science Advisory Panel members, Professor Terryann Clark and Professor Harriet Hiscock. We are privileged to have them share their knowledge as part of A Better Start's international Science Advisory Panel (SAP). The SAP provides the Challenge...
Upcoming webinar: Beyond the ABCs of Vitamin D
A Better Start E Tipu e Rea National Science Challenge, Cure Kids and the Paediatric Society of New Zealand invite you to a free webinar on Vitamin D deficiencies in children on Wednesday July 27 at 12.30pm. REGISTER HERE Vitamin D influences many aspects of a child's...
Watch: Help Me Breathe webinar – the RSV epidemic in NZ
WATCH THE WEBINAR HERE Discover the latest on the RSV epidemic in New Zealand in this webinar hosted by A Better Start National Science Challenge, Cure Kids and the Paediatric Society of New Zealand. A Better Start’s director, Professor Wayne Cutfield, and Cure Kids’...
NZ-China research collaborations
Leading researchers from A Better Start National Science Challenge will present at the 3rd NZ-China Non-Communicable Disease Research Cooperation Forum next month. The annual forum is to present and discuss research collaborations in area of non-communicable disease...
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.
