Updates
The latest from A Better StartText tips boost parenting confidence
Could feeling more confident and connected parenting your teens be as simple as receiving text messages? Emerging research from the University of Auckland suggests it can. A research team from the University’s School of Population Health has successfully trialled...
Study finds antibiotics are unlikely to be a major contributor to childhood obesity
A Better Start National Science Challenge’s research into the association between antibiotic exposure and childhood obesity is one of the largest studies of its kind ever conducted. It used a sample size of nearly 290,000 children and their mother’s (151,359...
Prediction of early childhood obesity acceptable to many caregivers of tamariki in New Zealand
A Better Start National Science Challenge’s Model Acceptance study is the first large-scale survey on the subject of caregiver acceptability of early childhood obesity prediction models in a multi-ethnic cohort of parents, caregivers, and grandparents anywhere in...
Te Taonga o Taku Ngākau Ancestral Knowledge and the Wellbeing of Tamariki Māori
Read the published report for 'Te Taonga o Taku Ngākau' Ancestral Knowledge and the Wellbeing of Tamariki Māori project by Leonie Pihama, Naomi Simmonds and Waikaremoana Waitoki. This project investigates ways that mātauranga Māori related to the raising of Māori...
New research into early learning success builds children’s resilience, cultural connectedness and wellbeing
The foundations of early literacy success and subsequent educational achievement and healthy wellbeing are developed in the early childhood period. New research funded by A Better Start National Start Challenge advances science at international levels and addresses...
New research to get a better night’s sleep for tamariki and their whānau
A new strategic research project with the aim of improving sleep for pepi and their whanau has been awarded $1.7 million over three years by A Better Start National Science Challenge. As well as improving sleep, this project also aims to reduce excessive weight...
HIIT programme strikes chord with students
As a researcher of exercise science, a father of two teenagers and husband of a teacher, getting young people moving in an achievable way is paramount for Associate Professor Nigel Harris. The Associate Dean for Postgraduate Research at Auckland University of...
Supporting parents of adolescents
Parenting adolescents can be difficult at the best of times, but it is even more difficult when done alone. Often, parents are left searching for more effective and easily accessible ways to support their children. New Zealand has one of the highest youth suicide...
Associate Professor Matire Harwood – Kaupapa Māori
As a result of the Māori Think Piece submitted to the Board in 2019, a Research Theme Leader Māori has been approved. Associate Professor Dr Matire Harwood (PhD, MBChB) has been appointed to this new leadership role. Matire (Ngāpuhi) lives in Auckland, and her...
Resilient Teens technology research highlighted
A recent article in www.stuff.co.nz features A Better Start Resilient Teens team's work that is researching and developing e-therapy options for young people in New Zealand. The research is led by Professor Sally Merry from the University of Auckland, who is on...
Early literacy success is critical to children’s wellbeing
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...
Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy of upmost importance for our tamariki
“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...
