Hello, I'm Big Research

I’m the thing that means Big Breakthroughs can be made so the health of little lives is improved.

Big Research is done by people who notice, ask lots of questions, and have clever ideas. It can involve a lot of different people, and it can take a lot of time. It takes a lot of heart and a lot of brain power. It also takes a lot of money.

And that is what Cure Kids helps with. To raise the money for the hearts and brains to do the big research to improve little lives.

Big Breakthroughs

Here’s a snapshot of the big breakthroughs we’ve helped make happen.

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  • 2003-2022

    Treatment for a rare disorder – Batten Disease

    A Neurological and Neurodevelopmental Disorders project
    We contributed to a series of studies that led to the discovery of a gene therapy for Batten Disease, which is now in human clinical trials in the USA.
    Dr
    Dr Nadia Mitchell
  • 2010-2021

    Discovery of some of the genes which causes epilepsy

    A Genetic Conditions and Rare Disorders project
    We funded research to identify some of the genes that cause epilepsy, enabling more targeted treatments and care.
    Emeritus
    Emeritus Professor Keith Grimwood
  • 2018

    Demonstration that babies born at 23–24 weeks can survive

    A Preterm Health project
    Cure Kids funded a study that provided evidence that babies born prematurely at 23-24 weeks can survive and thrive.
    Associate
    Associate Professor Max Berry
  • 2008

    Invention of a patented car-seat insert

    A Maternal and Infant Conditions project
    A study on the cause of unexpected deaths of babies in car seats led to the invention of an insert that helps maintain breathing and improve safety.
    Dr
    Dr Shirley Tonkin
  • 2012

    Generation of full-thickness human skin in a lab

    A Maternal and Infant Conditions project
    In 2012, Professor Rod Dunbar engineered full-thickness human skin in the laboratory using the patient’s own skin cells to enable skin repair after burns.
    Professor
    Professor Rod Dunbar
  • Our research in action

    We improve health and wellbeing for tamariki Māori

    We’ve got a unique population here in NZ, and Māori children have a genetic heritage found nowhere else in the world.

    To enable health and wellbeing for tamariki Māori, we need to use local knowledge to design homegrown solutions to tackle NZ-specific health problems.

    Cure Kids is proud to work alongside Māori health experts so we can be sure we’re allocating funds and support to the very best projects.

    The Advisors

    Behind every funding decision we make is a panel of advisors – a talented bunch of 10 who together make up Cure Kids Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee.

    Our research in action

    56 active projects, 104 phenomenal researchers

    2021 Report

    2021 Report

    2021 Report

    State of Child Health in Aotearoa New Zealand

    Cure Kids' inaugural State of Child Health Report 2021 sets out three key indicators to benchmark the health of New Zealand children.