A Better Start: E Tipu e Rea
National Science Challenge 2016 - 2024
Better science together for a better start in life
Every child should have the best possible start in life.
A Better Start was one of 11 National Science Challenges that ran from 2014 to August 2024.
researchers created tools and methods to predict, prevent and intervene early on three key pillars, healthy weight, learning and mental health. with the with the goal that 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 aimed to find practical, evidence-based solutions to make a measurable and impactful difference in the lives of our tamariki and rangatahi.
A Better Start article published: supporting the future wellbeing of our tamariki E tipu, e rea, mō ngā rā o tō ao: grow tender shoot for the days destined for you
CLICK HERE to read more and see the authors of the article
The individual article has been formally published online, the Special Issue: The current and future state of child health and wellbeing in Aotearoa New Zealand: Part 2 is yet to be published.
ABSTRACT: The majority of children and young people in Aotearoa New Zealand experience good health and wellbeing, but there are key areas where they compare unfavourably to those in other rich countries. However, current measures of wellbeing are critically limited in their suitability to reflect the dynamic, culture-bound, and subjective nature of the concept of ‘wellbeing’. In particular, there is a lack of measurement in primary school-aged children and in ways that incorporate Māori perspectives on wellbeing. A Better Start National Science Challenge work in the areas of Big Data, Healthy Weight, Resilient Teens, and Successful learning demonstrates how research is increasing our understanding of, and our ability to enhance, wellbeing for NZ children. As we look ahead to the future, opportunities to support the wellbeing of NZ young people will be shaped by how we embrace and mitigate against potential harms of new technologies, and our ability to respond to new challenges that arise due to climate change. In order to avoid increasing inequity in who experiences wellbeing in NZ, wellbeing must be monitored in ways that are culturally acceptable, universal, and recognise what makes children flourish.
About
The Science
Collaborative research and science excellence. Learn about our key research themes: Healthy Weight, Resilient Teens, Successful Learning, which is all underpined by Big Data.
News
Updates and events from A Better Start:
E Tipu e Rea
News and Events
Healthy Free School Lunches gets A-rating
Ka Ora, Ka Ako Healthy free School Lunches is facing cuts! Despite our researchers having clear evidence that the programme should be expanded. Join us for today's (Tuesday 26 March) webinar 12pm to hear the evidence for yourself! Click here to register for this free...
Important Webinar: Are Free Lunches Really Stacking Up?
There has been so much speculation in the media about the benefits of free Healthy School Lunches. So here is your chance to hear the facts from three expert researchers: Kelly Garton, PhD, Pippa McKelvie-Sebileau and Boyd Swinburn, when it comes to the health,...
Dr Nick Bowden presents keynote at Society for Autism Research
Dr Nick Bowden delivered a keynote speech at the 2023 Australasian Society for Autism Research (ASfAR) conference in Christchurch. It was held at the University of Canterbury on December 6th and 7th. ASfAR is an organisation devoted to advancing knowledge and...
Announcing the 2024 A Better Start National Science Challenge Symposium
The Symposium will be held on Wednesday 10th April 2024 April in Auckland. Please click here to find out more and see the details about the programme. We are excited to announce our Keynote Speakers, Professor Harriet Hiscock and Professor Ken Ong. As well as Dr...
New discoveries about the perils of smoking in pregnancy
We are proud to share some of our latest research findings in our article for Stuff.co.nz and The Press, in an article called "New discoveries about the perils of smoking in pregnancy" by Wayne Cutfield and Barry Taylor. Some of the outtakes are below but we...
Latest Newsletter Out Now!
The latest news and events from the team at A Better Start. Click here to read the latest newsletter: ABS December 2023 Newsletter Spotlight on Autism Research Culturally Relevant Ways to Support Pacific Child Wellbeing Headstrong Presents at Society for Mental Health...
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 Tender Shoot
E tipu, e rea, mō ngā rā o tō ao: grow tender shoot for the days destined for you
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.
