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
Literacy teaching methods need to be evidence-based
Past literacy teaching methods that don’t have a strong evidence base have disadvantaged our learners who need help the most, says NZ literacy expert Professor Gail Gillon. Talking to 1 News following the launch of the Government’s Literacy & Communication...
Proposed ban on sugary drinks welcomed
A Better Start National Science Challenge has welcomed a Government proposal to ban fizzy and sugary drinks in primary schools. Under the new initiative, announced by Minister of Education Chris Hipkins yesterday, pupils will only be allowed to drink water, milk and...
Latest publications: Autism and the criminal justice system, pregnancy predictors of childhood depressive symptoms, and more
Autism and the criminal justice system Bowden, N., Milne, B., Audas, R., Clasby, B., Dacombe, J., Forster, W., Kokaua, J., Gibb, S., Hughes, N., MacCormick, C., Smiler, K., Taylor, B., Mirfin-Veitch, B. (2022). Criminal justice system interactions among young adults...
Expert Opinion: Will the Government’s new literacy strategy work?
Professor Gillon, Deputy director of the Better Start National Science Challenge and Director of the Child Wellbeing Research Institute at the University of Canterbury, was invited to attend the launch of the Ministry of Education’s Literacy & Communication and...
Kia ora to our new board member
Welcome to our new board member, Professor Barry Borman. Professor Borman is an expert in the epidemiology of congenital anomalies and based at Massey University, where he is a Professor of Epidemiology. He has been the Director of the New Zealand Congenital Anomalies...
Farewell to Dr Bruce Scoggins
A Better Start National Science Challenge Director Wayne Cutfield has paid tribute to one of New Zealand’s top health research administrators, who passed away on March 18. Dr Bruce Scoggins was Chair of Cure Kids’ Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee and has had...
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.
