Researchers in New Zealand who are investigating ways to improve the health of Pacific Islanders are receiving a boost of $2.9 million in the form of “Career Development Awards” offered by New Zealand’s Health Research Council (HRC) – a crown agency of the New Zealand Government.

The financial support forms part of the HRC’s total distribution of $9.7 million in career development awards to health researchers throughout New Zealand. Its aim is to foster and strengthen the capacity of New Zealand’s health research workforce.

One of the biggest recipients was the University of Otago where 23 researchers were awarded career development awards. A total of $604,153 was awarded to nine Pacific health researchers at Otago University.

2020 Pacific Health Career Development Award recipients

Dr Jesse Kokaua, University of Otago, Wellington
Awarded $256,775 for study “Lighted paths: Education and pathways to better health for Pacific families”.

Mrs Amy Henry, University of Otago, Christchurch
Awarded $134,921 for study “Health and the Ta'unga: Cook Island palliative health knowledge in New Zealand”.

Miss Albany Lucas, University of Otago, Wellington 
Awarded $132,661 for study “Sleep, health, communication, and wellbeing for Pacific children and families”.

Ms Tutangi Amataiti, University of Otago, Wellington 
Awarded $30,951 for study “Improving adherence to a reduced carb diet for women with gestational diabetes”

Miss Tilda Leleai, University of Otago, Dunedin
Awarded $28,845  for study “Pacific and Māori populations undergoing cardiac surgery in the SDHB region”.

Dr Dianne Sika-Paotonu, University of Otago, Wellington 
Awarded $5,000 for study “Towards a new penicillin for rheumatic fever prevention”.

Miss Fuatino Heath, University of Otago, Wellington 
Awarded $5,000 for study “Global Health Classroom as a tool for global child health learning”.

Ms Leilani Pereira, University of Otago, Wellington 
Awarded $5,000 for study “Exploring appropriate ways to recruit Pacific people into research”.

Miss Ruby Tukia, University of Otago, Wellington 
Awarded for $5,000 “Oral health of elderly Pacific people among New Zealand nursing home residents”.