Updates
The latest from A Better StartMove to prevent later childhood obesity
Researchers are a step closer to developing a prediction model for childhood obesity in New Zealand. Childhood obesity is a serious public health challenge, and identifying high-risk individuals for early intervention is a priority. Worldwide, an estimated 40.6...
Screen time, sleep and food: Hawke’s Bay children’s habits the focus of A Better Start research
The sleep habits, screen time, physical activity and food intake of hundreds of Hawke’s Bay primary and secondary school students are coming under the scrutiny of A Better Start researchers. More than 1300 Year 5 and Year 9 students from almost 30 schools are...
Sleep treatment used by 1 in 4 NZ children with autism
One in four children on the autism spectrum in New Zealand are given melatonin to help them sleep, a new study co-authored by a Better Start National Science Challenge researcher has found. The study’s lead author Associate Professor Laurie McLay says the...
Meet The Researcher – Tania Cargo
Tania Cargo co-leads A Better Start’s Resilient Teens team, which is working with Māori and Pacific students, schools and communities to co-design and test a digital platform to offer young people and their families easier access to evidence-based help and advice...
A Better Start professors elected as Fellows to Royal Society Te Apārangi
Congratulations to A Better Start's Deputy Director Gail Gillon and Māori Strategy theme leader Professor Helen Moewaka Barnes, who have both been elected Ngā Ahurei a Te Apārangi Fellows of the Academy of the Royal Society Te Apārangi. Being made a Fellow is an...
WATCH: The Digital Dilemma; the promise, the challenge and the mental wellbeing of our children webinar
Professor Sally Merry and Cure Kids Research Director Tara Satyanand lead an exciting panel of speakers in this webinar, looking at the potential gains and pitfalls in using technology to support mental wellbeing and resilience in our children and young people....
What are our children learning?
An innovative literacy programme is being rolled out to the nation's schools this year as part of the Ministry of Education's major new initiative to improve literacy outcomes for all New Zealand children. The Better Start Literacy Approach (BLSA) is an integrated...
Read our latest newsletter
Our latest newsletter is out. Read it HERE Find out about our major research project announcement, the pilot study which has led to a national school rollout, our Contestable Funding Round update, latest research news, recent publications and more....
Meet the Researcher – Professor Rachael Taylor
Professor Rachael Taylor, leads A Better Start's strategic research project, Moemoea, which looks at sleep, health, communication & wellbeing of pepi and their whānau. Can you tell us about Moemoea and why it's important? Getting sufficient good quality sleep...
Pilot study leads to national school rollout
An innovative literacy programme, developed with funding from A Better Start National Science Challenge, is being rolled out to the nation's schools. The programme, known as the Better Start Literacy Approach (BLSA), is part of the Ministry of Education’s major new...
Joint funding round update
A raft of applications have been received for A Better Start and Cure Kids' $4 million joint funding round for child health research. A Better Start and Cure Kids had called for proposals for high quality translational research to improve child and youth wellbeing,...
Announcing the Lifecourse project
The lifelong impact of chronic diseases on New Zealand families is at the centre of a major new research programme. Three of the government’s National Science Challenges – A Better Start, Healthier Lives and Ageing Well – are collaborating to develop a research...
