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.
About
The Science
Collaborative research and science excellence. Learn about our key research themes
News
Updates and events from A Better Start: E Tipu e Rea
Building health, well being and learning success for tamariki and rangatahi
A new 22 month project has been launched called, Whiriwhiria, kia ora ai te tamaiti: Building health, wellbeing and learning success for tamariki and rangatahi through and Māturangi Māori and systems science approach is to evaluate, integrate and reorient systems, learning and movement initiatives in Hawke’s Bay.
A Better Start has funded the project that will be managed by Eastern Institute of Technology and Te Pūkenga, co-led by Professor Boyd Swinburn (pictured below left) and Professor David Tipene-Leach.
The three research objectives are:
1. To evaluate the effectiveness of current food, learning and movement initiatives in Hawke’s Bay with particular regard to outcomes for tamariki Māori;
2. To explore how Māaurangi Māori can inform the development of a comprehensive systems dynamics science approach and reorient food systems in Hawke’s Bay;
3. To create an indigenous informed and inspired food systems approach to improve health, wellbeing, resilience and educational out comes for tamariki, rangatahi and whānau.
Researchers hope this will provide an exemplar of success for integrating strategies to improve healthy weight, learning and movement outcomes within a high need area and one that can demonstration for other regions across the country.
News and Events
EIT | Te Pūkenga researcher relishes working on worthwhile project in home region.
Dr Rachael Glassey is a Senior Research Fellow in the newly created Te Kura I Awarua Rangahau Māori Centre at EIT | Te Pūkenga. Rachael, 33, joined EIT | Te Pūkenga last year to work on a community research project, Nourishing Hawke’s Bay: He wairua tō te kai. She has...
EXPERT OPINION: Literacy expert dissects new literacy, numeracy model & National Parties education policy
Literacy expert dissects new literacy, numeracy model & National's education policy The National Party has released its education policy, the same week a government document redefining the curriculum has also been released, termed a common-practice model. This is...
Better Start Literacy Approach on RNZ’s The Panel
Professor Brigid McNeill from the University of Canterbury and A Better Start Literacy Approach joined RNZ's The Panel to talk about improving literacy levels in Aotearoa New Zealand's tamariki. The Better Start Literacy Approach is a structured approach to literacy...
Professors Taylor, Pihama & Holdaway Elected Fellows
Thirty-four new Ngā Ahurei a Te Apārangi Fellows and Ngā Ahurei Honore a Te Apārangi Honorary Fellows have been elected to the Academy of the Royal Society Te Apārangi for their distinction in research and advancement of science, technology or the humanities. They are...
Read our first e-news for 2023
Say hello to our Feb 2023 update, Read it here and remember to subscribe so you can receive our quarterly updates direct to your inbox! In This Issue: From the Director Simulation Modelling Project Led by Associate Professor Barry Milne Research Excellence Award: Dr...
Nick Bowden Awarded PhD
Congratulations to Nick Bowden on being awarded his PhD, his dedication to research excellence is demonstrated in many of his published papers, and in his thesis below. We are proud to have Nick as part of the A Better Start whānau. For those that don't know Nick is...
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
The meaning behind, 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.
