Updates
The latest from A Better StartWearable technology to help adolescents with stress and anxiety
A pilot study of wearable technology to help young people sense and manage their anxiety is under way in New Zealand. The two-year project, which has been granted $400,000 in joint funding by A Better Start National Science Challenge and Cure Kids, will investigate...
Autistic students in NZ three times more likely to be stood down or suspended: new research
This story appeared in The New Zealand Herald. Click here to read the full story on nzherald.co.nz Autistic children in New Zealand are almost three times more likely to be stood down or suspended from school than children who aren't autistic, a major new...
Meet The Researcher – Dr Stephanie D’Souza
Dr Stephanie D'Souza is a researcher with A Better Start's Big Data team. She talks about her current project which looks at whether Māori tamariki screened for ADHD concerns are less likely to receive medication than non-Māori, the best piece of advice she was...
Children falling through the cracks – new study reveals key insights into Hawke’s Bay tamariki’s nutrition and wellbeing
One in five Hawke’s Bay primary school students report being hungry because there is not enough food at home, a new study published in the Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand reveals. The study – funded by A Better Start National Science Challenge – was...
NZ’s child obesity rates continue to decline: new study
New Zealand preschoolers have resisted the global obesity trend, with an important new study showing rates of child obesity continuing to decline across Aotearoa. The study, led by researchers for A Better Start National Science Challenge, looked at measurements of...
Webinar postponement
Thank you to all those who have registered for our webinar, Help Me Breathe: The RSV Epidemic, which was due to be held today. Unfortunately, due to a last-minute technical issue which is out of our control, we have been forced to postpone this webinar. This is the...
UPCOMING WEBINAR: Help Me Breathe – The RSV Epidemic
When: Wednesday May 4 at 12.30pm 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 looking at the RSV epidemic in Aotearoa on Wednesday May 4 at 12.30pm. A Better Start's...
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...
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...
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...
