Pūtahi Manawa - Healthy Hearts for Aotearoa NZ

16/08/2026

𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞: 𝐀 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫-𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬-𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐛𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲.

Dr Wilda Laux from the Our Heart, Our Genes, Our Story Integrated Research Module at University of Auckland - Waipapa Taumata Rau is on a mission to make science more accessible, and the Bento Lab is enabling hands-on DNA discovery for students in remote areas of New Zealand

For Dr Laux, hands-on genomics belongs in the classroom, not as an advanced extra for the few, but as an accessible way for all students to understand the science shaping health, medicine, and their own futures.

Read the full story by Bento Lab - https://bento.bio/story/making-genomics-visible-a-teacher-led-approach-to-hands-on-molecular-biology/

Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland

Wilda Laux is on a mission to make science more accessible, and the Bento Lab is enabling hands-on DNA discovery for students in remote areas of New Zealand.

14/08/2026

By the end of 2026, Auroiana Etelei will become the first Pacific and Samoan genetic counsellor in Aotearoa New Zealand, graduating with a Master of Genetic Counselling from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS).

Auroiana’s Master’s research has focused on Pacific perspectives and attitudes towards genetic testing for inherited cardiac conditions.

She hopes the findings will contribute to the development of culturally appropriate resources that make genetic information more accessible and meaningful for Pacific families.

“There’s a huge gap between best practice in genetic testing, and what our Pacific communities understand,” she says.
“As a Samoan woman, I understand the importance of communicating in ways that respect Pacific cultures, values and ways of connecting. People deserve information that makes sense to them and reflects who they are.”

Her research was recognised last week at the Human Genetics Society of Australasia Conference in Ōtautahi Christchurch, where she received the Best Student Presentation award.

Listen to her interview with Pacific Mornings' Will Terite about her unique career interest - https://pmn.co.nz/read/health/samoan-researcher-wants-genetic-heart-care-to-work-for-families

PMN News
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07/08/2026

Mary-Ann Moller (Rarotonga, Rakahanga), a 2025 Pūtahi Manawa Pacific Doctoral scholarship recipient studying at Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka | University of Otago, is exploring lagoon bathing as an ecologically valid therapy to potentially lower blood pressure and support broader wellbeing in the Cook Islands.

Read the full story in the comments

06/08/2026

𝐓𝐞 𝐊𝐨𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐢 𝐏ū𝐭𝐚𝐡𝐢 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐰𝐚 𝐊𝐚𝐩𝐚 𝐇𝐚𝐤𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭

𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟕 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭.

You don't need to have everything worked out at this stage, just your "who".

To submit your intention to apply, email your research team details to [email protected]

Lineni Tuitupou from Whakaata Māori put this story together, demonstrating the importance of this kaupapa and how Māori-led solutions can drive mainstream health practices.

A new Māori-led research project aims to back up traditional understanding with clinical data on heart health and cardiorespiratory fitness.

06/08/2026

04/08/2026

🚨 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐬

𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬:
𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞: 𝟓𝐩𝐦 𝟏𝟒 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔
Programme Starts: 23 November 2026
Programme ends: 12 February 2027

𝐃𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭?

The Pūtahi Manawa Māori and Fatu Malosi Pacific summer research programmes aim to provide opportunities for Māori and Pacific students studying at a tertiary level to participate in a heart health equity programme of research over the summer holidays.
Projects can be submitted for either the Fatu Malosi Pacific summer research programme or the Māori summer research programme, which will be run in partnership with Pūhoro STEMM, or for both.

If you are community-based and have a project in mind, we can support you in developing a research project.

Find out more about our summer research programmes - https://www.putahimanawa.ac.nz/our-research/research/summer-research-programmes

Apply through the link in the comments.

04/08/2026

🚨𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐚𝐭𝐮 𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐢, 𝐏ū𝐭𝐚𝐡𝐢 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐰𝐚'𝐬 𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞.

Fatu Malosi provides Pacific students with the opportunity to gain hands-on research experience, work alongside leading researchers, and contribute to projects that are improving heart health outcomes for Pacific peoples in Aotearoa.

Whether you're considering a career in health or research, or want to make a meaningful difference for your community, Fatu Malosi offers a supportive environment to develop your skills, build your networks, and explore the impact of Pacific-led research.

📅 Applications are now open.
📅 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞: 𝟓𝐩𝐦 𝟏𝟒 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

Find out more and apply through the link in the comments.

31/07/2026

Join us for an interactive showcase of MedTech innovations, from life-saving medical devices and AI-powered diagnostics to wearable technologies and digital health solutions shaping the future of healthcare.

📅 Thursday 27 August 2026
⏰ 10am–3.30pm
📍 AUT South Campus, MH Building
640 Great South Road, Manukau City Centre, Auckland
🎟 Free entry | Open to everyone

Register now via the link in our bio or here: MedTech Explorer Showcase 2026

Tag someone who should come along! 👇

   

29/07/2026

We're pleased to announce a new grant worth up to $300,000 to support a Māori-led research project investigating how kapa haka contributes to cardiovascular health and wellbeing.

The 𝐓𝐞 𝐊𝐨𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐢 𝐏ū𝐭𝐚𝐡𝐢 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐰𝐚 𝐊𝐚𝐩𝐚 𝐇𝐚𝐤𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭 invites researchers to explore an area that has long been recognised by Māori communities but has rarely been measured through cardiovascular research.

Assoc. Prof. Karen Brewer, Co-Director Māori for Pūtahi Manawa says, "𝘞𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘔ā𝘰𝘳𝘪 𝘭𝘪𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯 𝘔ā𝘰𝘳𝘪 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴. 𝘒𝘢𝘱𝘢 𝘩𝘢𝘬𝘢 𝘪𝘴 𝘶𝘯𝘢𝘱𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘔ā𝘰𝘳𝘪, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘔ā𝘰𝘳𝘪 𝘢𝘭𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘪𝘵 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘧𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘩 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘶𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘭𝘶𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦."

🚨 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐧𝐨𝐰

𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐝𝐮𝐞: 𝟕 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔
𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞: 𝐌𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟏𝟖 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

Assoc. Prof. Karen Brewer spoke to Waatea News about the grant. Listen to the full interview here - https://waateanews.com/2026/07/29/can-kapa-haka-heal-the-heart-maori-led-research-explores-the-health-power-of-culture/

Find out more and apply through the link in the comments.

A groundbreaking Māori-led research project is set to investigate whether one of Aotearoa’s most celebrated cultural practices could also become a powerful tool for improving cardiovascular health. Associate Professor Karen […]

27/07/2026

⭐Meet the Le Alamea Projects⭐

𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐡𝐞𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐅𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐡𝐞𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐫𝐭-𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥

Host organisation: The Black Grace Trust

Led by Neil Ieremia and James Wasmer, this project harnesses storytelling, performance, music, and dance to engage Pacific communities in rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease prevention.

Supported also by Sonorus Australia, creators of an AI sonography device. Informed by Neil Ieremia’s lived experience with rheumatic heart disease, the project will develop performances, film, educational resources and immersive experiences that reframe awareness through Pacific culture and creativity.

“𝘐’𝘮 𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘻𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘢 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘭𝘦 𝘰𝘯 𝘳𝘩𝘦𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘺. 𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘉𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘎𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘦, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘢 𝘷𝘦𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺’𝘴 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯.”

- Neil Ieremia, Project Co-Lead.

This is one of five Pacific-led projects supported through Le Alamea Pūtahi Manawa. You can read about the other projects below.