New Zealand Child Health Researchers Receive Funding Boost
As New Zealand’s largest charitable funder of child health research, Cure Kids has announced funding for five new research projects that have the potential to make significant and life-changing breakthroughs for our tamariki.
A new surgical procedure that could change the lives of children living with rheumatic heart disease, a study into Autism prevalence and healthcare service use in Aotearoa and a new drug with the potential to prevent long-term problems in babies who suffer oxygen deprivation at birth, are among world-class research projects being made possible thanks to Cure Kids.
As New Zealand’s largest charitable funder of child health research, Cure Kids has announced funding for five new research projects that have the potential to make significant and life-changing breakthroughs for our tamariki.
The organisation’s Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee received over 50 applications for the 2025 round of Cure Kids’ annual Innovation and Discovery grant. After a stringent review process, Cure Kids has injected $623,215 into five grants.
Frances Soutter, Cure Kids CEO, says: “We were highly impressed by the quality of the research proposals we received. They showcase the innovation and talent of researchers here in Aotearoa, and we are so pleased to have the opportunity to support their work.”
“These newly funded projects represent some of the brightest ideas for tackling the critical health issues facing our tamariki. Our recent State of Child Health report revealed that urgent action is needed to address worsening health outcomes for young people in Aotearoa, which is exactly why Cure Kids is committed to supporting vital research. We are excited to see the potential impact this research could have both in New Zealand and across the world.”
Cure Kids is currently supporting 48 health research projects throughout Aotearoa New Zealand
The five research projects that have received funding as part of Cure Kids 2025 Innovation and Discovery grant are:
Millions of babies across the world are born preterm every year, and as a result many suffer brain injuries that can cause life-long disabilities. This study, led by University of Auckland Associate Professor Justin Dean, is aimed at gaining new insights into why preterm babies have such a high risk of brain injury and disability, and finding ways to improve their outcomes . Specifically, it will look at whether exposure to inflammation around the time of preterm birth can cause long-lasting deficits in brain energy production, and whether treating these deficits can improve or restore normal brain development and outcomes.
Dr. Guido Wassink at the University of Auckland is building on pioneering Cure Kids-funded research by Prof Alistair Gunn from 1987, which developed cooling cap technology to reduce brain damage and its associated disabilities in babies who don't get enough oxygen at birth. This project examines whether using a drug called dexmedetomidine during therapeutic hypothermia can further improve long-term recovery for babies, offering important insights for future treatments.
Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) is a serious health issue in New Zealand, especially among Pasifika children and tamariki Māori. Recurrent RHD results in damage to the heart valves, which requires high-risk operations. Unfortunately, the current artificial heart valves don’t work well for young people. new surgical techniques utilising the patient’s own tissue, such as the Ozaki procedure, which uses a patient’s own tissue for heart valve replacement, offers promising results for young people with RHD. A team at Starship Hospital, led by internationally renowned Professor Massimo Caputo, is comparing this innovative technique to traditional methods to determine its potential to change lives.
This research focuses on understanding how integrated primary care services designed specifically for our young people, can improve youth mental health and addiction. Led by Associate Professor Kaaren Mathias at the University of Canterbury, this project aims to explore how these services can be more effective than traditional care providers, with a particular focus on Māori and Pasifika young people who face significantly higher rates of mental distress.
International prevalence estimates suggest that 1 in 36 children are autistic, but there are no official estimates in Aotearoa New Zealand. Studies show that these youth often have higher mental and physical health needs however there is a lack of research in New Zealand on how Autistic young people use healthcare services. University of Otago’s Dr. Nicholas Bowden is setting out to better understand trends in autism and healthcare access, to inform the co-design of an evidence-based policy brief.
