Early literacy success is critical to children’s wellbeing

by ksch009 | Aug 29, 2019 | Media release, Successful Literacy and Learning

A Better Start National Science Challenge team have been researching effective ways to accelerate early reading and writing success for children who enter school with lower levels of oral language. “Early literacy success is critical to children’s wellbeing from many...

Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy of upmost importance for our tamariki

by ksch009 | Aug 29, 2019 | Healthy Weight, Media release, Resilient Teens, Successful Literacy and Learning

“The Government’s Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy, which was released yesterday, is an extremely positive step towards improving the lives of tamariki in New Zealand,” says Professor Wayne Cutfield, A Better Start National Science Challenge Director. “We welcome...

Successful Learning Theme report published

by ksch009 | Jul 7, 2019 | Braided rivers, Contestable, Media release, Successful Literacy and Learning

The Phase One Final Report for A Better Start’s Successful Learning Theme has been published. The report provides a celebration of achievements from the first phase of funding across the theme’s four keystone projects, one contestable funding project...

High blood pressure risk for women born early

by ksch009 | Jul 3, 2019 | Healthy Weight, Media release

Born prematurely? Here’s another reason to look after your health: you may have a higher risk of developing high blood pressure. A new study led by the Liggins Institute has found that 18-year-old women born preterm (before 37 weeks of gestation) are almost twice as...

Tight budgets, time pressures and other stressors leave takeaways the easier meal choice for low-income Māori parents

by ksch009 | Jun 24, 2019 | Healthy Weight, Media release

Stretched finances and time, stress, tiredness and the challenge of juggling family members’ differing tastes are among the many influences on Māori parents’ food choices for their children, new research shows. The study, led by Massey University’s Professor...

Social disadvantage a key prediction of gap between Māori, Pacific and Pakeha child obesity

by ksch009 | Jun 16, 2019 | Big Data, Healthy Weight, Media release

Differences in socioeconomic conditions are a major driver of unequal obesity rates among Māori, Pacific and European children, a new study shows. The study – the first of its kind in Aotearoa New Zealand – found that the difference in numbers of four-year-old...