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Research guidance
Our research site has all the information you need about research at Waitematā.
Research and knowledge centre (external link)
Main topics
Studies
Cervical screening self-test study
About the Cervical screening self-test study
About the Cervical screening self-test study
The cervical screening self-test study is now finished, and all options for returning samples are closed.
Self-testing for cervical screening is now available at your doctor or healthcare provider. We encourage you to stay up to date with screening.
For more information visit our Health Information and Services website.
Cervical screening — Health Information and Services (external link)
Please check back here if you are interested in the study findings. Once they are available, we will publish them here.
The study explored different ways to offer a self-test for cervical screening, so that more women get checked to prevent cervical cancer.
The study was a joint project between Te Whatu Ora — Waitematā, Te Toka Tumai Auckland, and Counties Manukau districts and Total Healthcare PHO (Tāmaki Health clinics), with additional funding from the National Screening Unit to help inform the new National Cervical Screening Programme.
- The test uses a cotton swab and is simple to do yourself.
- The swab is tested for HPV, the virus which can cause cervical cancer.
- The self-test is safe and effective and is now part of New Zealand’s National Cervical Screening Programme.
Cervical screening self-test study contacts
Cervical screening self-test study contacts
- Dr Karen Bartholomew
- Lead Researcher
- 021 211 5629
- Karen.Bartholomew@tewhatuora.govt.nz
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) and Atrial Fibrillation (AF) Screening Project
About the AAA and AF project
About the AAA and AF project
Welcome to the Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) and Atrial Fibrillation (AF) Screening Project. This is a joint initiative between Te Whatu Ora — Waitematā and Te Toka Tumai-Auckland and your local doctor.
In 2016 to 2018 Health NZ — Waitematā and Auckland had a research project where we tested 2,500 Māori men and women across Auckland to see how common AAA is in Māori. We discovered Māori are twice as likely to have a AAA as non-Māori. In 2019 to 2021 we did the same thing with Pacific men and now, to complete the research, we would like to see if the same is true for Pacific women.
What Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) is
What Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) is
Your aorta is the main blood vessel which takes blood from your heart to the lower part of your body. An aneurysm (you say “ann you rizz em”) is when the wall of the aorta gets weak and stretches, like a weak spot in a bike tyre.
Why AAA is important to know about
Why AAA is important to know about
AAA is hard to detect, and you may not feel unwell. The best way to find out if your aorta is ok is with an abdominal ultrasound. An AAA that gets very large may burst and cause internal bleeding which would require lifesaving surgery.
What the Pacific AAA Screening Project is
What the Pacific AAA Screening Project is
This part of the research is only for Pacific women, aged 65 to 74 years living in some parts of Auckland. We will only be screening women who have been invited to join the project. At the 30-minute appointment you will have an ultrasound scan of your tummy. The scan is quick, safe, and painless. You are very welcome to bring a family member or friend to your appointment as support.
Your test results will be explained to you at the end of the appointment, and we will send a copy of your results to your doctor.
It is important to remember most people have a normal result.
But if we do find you have an AAA you will be offered treatment or follow up at Auckland City Hospital. We will also check your heart rhythm along with your height, weight and blood pressure.
The test, and any follow-up tests, are completely free as part of the project - as long as you are eligible for publicly funded health care in Aotearoa New Zealand.
How to book an AAA or AF appointment
How to book an AAA or AF appointment
Once you have received your letter and are comfortable to continue, book your 30-minute appointment by:
- phone on 0800 55 75 85
- text to 021 198 8568
You can also contact us on these numbers for more information.
If you are looking for support to quit smoking, you can contact our Smokefree Services by
- text to 021 243 2146
- email at SmokefreeServices@waitematadhb.govt.nz
AAA and AF Patient Information Sheets
AAA and AF Patient Information Sheets
Te Oranga Pūkahukahu — Lung Health Check
About Te Oranga Pūkahukahu
About Te Oranga Pūkahukahu
Nau mai, haere mai, welcome to Te Oranga Pūkahukahu, the Lung Cancer Screening study being done by the Māori Health Pipeline — Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora and Otago University.
Currently, in New Zealand, most lung cancers are found quite late. Screening can help find lung cancer when it is small, has not spread anywhere else and is not causing any symptoms.
When found early, lung cancer is much more likely to be able to be cured. International evidence has shown that screening can decrease deaths from lung cancer among people who are at high risk of developing it.
We want to design a lung cancer screening programme that works for Māori in Aotearoa. To do this, we are doing research to help inform this design.
In March 2024 the team completed a study of around 500 participants in the Waitematā and Te Toka Tumai (Auckland) districts in Auckland. The next study will be with 1,200 participants, across the whole northern region, taking in the Te Tai Tokerau (Northland) and Counties Manukau regions as well as Waitematā and Te Toka Tumai (Auckland).
What lung cancer screening is
What lung cancer screening is
Lung cancer screening uses a low dose CT scan which can detect lung cancer before symptoms develop. We only need to scan people who are at higher risk for lung cancer, so first we will ask participants some questions about their health to assess their risk.
This video will tell you a bit more about what to expect when considering lung screening.It will talk you through what it is like to get a CT scan, and some of the risks and benefits that are important to know.
Te Oranga Pūkahukahu - Lung Health Check — Vimeo (external link)
Who will be invited to join the Te Oranga Pūkahukahu study
Who will be invited to join the Te Oranga Pūkahukahu study
The people who are invited to join this study will:
- be Māori or European
- be smokers or ex-smokers
- be aged between 50 and 74
- live in the northern region, which includes the Health New Zealand catchment areas of Te Tai Tokerau — Northland, Waitematā, Te Toka Tumai Auckland or Counties Manukau districts.
You cannot be in the study if any of these things apply to you. You have:
- never smoked
- had lung cancer before
- had a chest CT scan in the last two years
- some other cancers or conditions that don’t allow you to participate — our study nurse can talk to you about these.
We use risk assessment questions to find out if participants are eligible for a lung screening CT scan. These questions were developed through international research. Our study will help test how well the risk assessment questions work here in Aotearoa New Zealand, with Māori and European populations. The study is also looking at ways Māori health providers and whānau activation methods can help increase the uptake of lung screening.
Participants will receive an invitation to participate from their own GP, a Māori Health Provider known to them, or by receiving a whānau invitation voucher from a whānau member or friend.
How the Te Oranga Pūkahukahu study works
How the Te Oranga Pūkahukahu study works
Part 1 — assessment
The first part of the study is an assessment to find out if invited participants are eligible for a lung screening CT scan. The assessment involves answering some questions about personal and family health history and smoking history. This can be done online or with a nurse over the phone, by video call or in person.
If your assessment shows you are not at high risk of getting lung cancer, then you will not need a CT scan. Your participation in the study will end here. You might be offered an assessment again in the future, as your risk can change over time.
If your assessment shows you are at higher risk of lung cancer, you will be invited to have a CT scan, which is a type of X-ray. This does not mean you have lung cancer.
Part 2 — CT scan
A nurse will talk with you about the pros and cons of having a CT scan and what is involved. They will also talk about what happens if the scan finds something. This will help you decide whether or not to have a CT scan.
We welcome whānau or other support people to be involved in your lung cancer screening journey if you choose to take part. Support people are welcome to ask questions and attend any appointments with you.
If you decide to have a CT scan, an appointment will be made for a time that suits you.
Once you have had your CT scan, the pictures are sent to a radiologist who will search for ‘spots’ on your lungs (called nodules). They may also find other health issues. The radiologist will send a report to the doctors in our study.
Your GP or a nurse from your usual clinic will talk about your results either over the phone or in person.
If nodules are found, the doctors will talk through what this means and what should happen next.
Some people with nodules will have another CT scan to see if the nodule has changed. Some people will be offered other tests to see if the nodule is cancer or something else.
If anything else is found on the CT scan, we will talk to you about what this means and whether anything needs to be done.
Te Oranga Pūkahukahu contacts
Te Oranga Pūkahukahu contacts
- Professor Sue Crengle
- (Waitaha, Kāti Mamoe, Kāi Tahu)
- Principal Investigator for the Lung Screening Research Programme, University of Otago
- sue.crengle@otago.ac.nz
- Dr Karen Bartholomew
- Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora Lead for this study
- Karen.Bartholomew@waitematadhb.govt.nz
- Dr Kate Parker
- Co-investigator and Programme Manager
- 021 678 907
- Kate.Parker2@waitematadhb.govt.nz
Research team
- Grace Steel
- Study Nurse
- Penelope.Steel@waitematadhb.govt.nz
- Anne Fraser
- Study Nurse Practitioner
- Anne.Fraser@waitematadhb.govt.nz
- Umit Holland
- Senior Research Nurse
- Umit.Holland@waitematadhb.govt.nz
- Maryam Griffin
- Senior Research Nurse
- Maryam.Griffin@waitematadhb.govt.nz
- Donna Enoka
- Engagement Coordinator
- Donna.Enoka@waitematadhb.govt.nz
- Tayla Schaapveld
- Data Research Assistant
- Tayla.Schaapveld@waitematadhb.govt.nz
- Kim MacRae
- Project Manager
- Kim.MacRae@waitematadhb.govt.nz
Te Oranga Pūkahukahu research outputs
Te Oranga Pūkahukahu research outputs
2020
2021
Colhoun S, Parker K, McCook S, Bartholomew K, et al. New Zealand Medical Journal137(1593) April 2024
Parker K, Colhoun S, Bartholomew K, Sandiford P, Lewis C, Milne D, et al. PLoS ONE 18(8): e0281420. August 2023
Te Oranga Pūkahukahu videos
Te Oranga Pūkahukahu videos
Te Haa Kotahi — Why do you think lung cancer screening is important? (external link)
Te Haa Kotahi — What have you learned from Te Haa Kotahi discussions? (external link)
Te Haa Kotahi — What would you say to someone considering lung screening? (external link)
Te Oranga Pūkahukahu Lung Cancer Screening Explainer Video (external link)
Upper gastrointestinaI clinical trials
2022
2022
- Liver Tissue collection and banking for research
- Local investigator: Prof Jonathan Koea
- Pancreatic Tissue collection and storage for research
- Local investigator: Mr Michael Rodgers
- Genomic analyses of neuroendocrine tumour (NET) samples in the development of improved clinical predictors and prognosticators In association with Dr Ben Lawrence, Department of Medical Oncology, The University of Auckland, Park Road, Grafton, Auckland.
- Local investigator: Prof Jonathan Koea
- Pancreasgroup.org. International Pancreatic Surgery Outcomes Study In association with the Royal Free Hospital London.
- National lead investigator: Prof Jonathan Koea
- Enrolling 2022
- A prospective evaluation of visible patient software in teaching and operative planning
- Local investigator: Prof Jonathan Koea
2021
2021
- Liver Tissue collection and banking for research
- Local investigator: Prof Jonathan Koea
- Pancreatic Tissue collection and storage for research
- Local investigator: Mr Michael Rodgers
- Genomic analyses of neuroendocrine tumour (NET) samples in the development of improved clinical predictors and prognosticators
- In association with Dr Ben Lawrence, Department of Medical Oncology, The University of Auckland, Park Road, Grafton, Auckland.
- Local investigator: Prof Jonathan Koea
- Pancreasgroup.org. International Pancreatic Surgery Outcomes Study
- In association with the Royal Free Hospital London.
- National lead investigator: Prof Jonathan Koea
- Enrolling 2021
- A prospective evaluation of visible patient software in teaching and operative planning
- Local investigator: Prof Jonathan Koea
Clinical research groups
Health and medical research is recognised worldwide as being integral to quality health care systems. Te Whatu Ora — Waitematā, as the largest and fastest growing Health NZ district in the country, has a number of research groups involved in collaborative clinical trials and innovative research.
Groups actively researching are listed here. Select their name for more information including contact details where available. Alternatively, enquiries can be directed to research@waitematadhb.govt.nz
Anaesthetics and pain Services
Anaesthetics and pain Services
Main areas of research
Pain neurophysiology, personalised pain medicine, postoperative delerium, postoperative orthostatic intolerance, rehabilitation for chronic pain, complex regional pain syndrome.
Lead Investigators
- Dr Debbie Bean
- Dr Daniel Chiang
- Dr Lindsay Gray
- Dr Michal Kluger
- Dr Manson Ku
- Dr David Rice
- Dr Nav Sidhu
- Dr Natalie Tuck
- Dr Catherine White
Waitematā Pain Services has strong research and teaching ties with Auckland University of Technology (AUT) Health and Rehabilitation Research Institute.
Contacts (office hours only)
- Seema Vinish
- CNS Quality Improvement and Research
- 09 486 8920 extension 44941
- 021 679 553
- seema.vinish@waitematadhb.govt.nz
- Monica Skarin
- Senior Research Officer
- 027 873 2708
- monica.skarin@waitematadhb.govt.nz
- Dr Matt Kang
- Research Officer
- 021 199 6985
- woo-jin.kang@waitematadhb.govt.nz
- Jill Collier
- Senior Research Officer
- 09 486 8920 extension 48944
- 021 031 4757
- jill.collier@waitematadhb.govt.nz
Cardiology
Cardiology
Main areas of research
- Cholesterol management
- Heart failure treatment
- Coronary artery disease treatment
- Atrial fibrillation treatment
Lead investigators
- Dr Colin Edwards
- Dr Patrick Gladding
- Dr Tony Scott
- Dr Andrew To
Contacts (office hours only)
Enquiries to the Cardiology Research Unit coordinator Grainne McAnnalley or Cathy Hulbert:
- 09 486 8920 extension 43501
- text 021 178 9971
- grainne.mcannalley@waitematadhb.govt.nz
- cathy.hulbert@waitematadhb.govt.nz
Critical care and Intensive care unit
Critical care and Intensive care unit
Main areas of research
- Community acquired pneumonia
- Intravenous fluid therapy
- Community cardiac arrest
- Antibiotic therapy
Lead investigators
- Dr Jonathan Casement
- Dr Robert Everitt
- Dr Ywain Lawrey
- Dr Janet Liang
- Dr Lesley Maher
- Dr Duncan Reid
Contact
- Hina Karim
- ICU Research CNS
- icuresearch@waitematadhb.govt.nz
Diabetes and Endocrinology
Diabetes and Endocrinology
Main areas of research
- Diabetes research into novel therapeutic treatments in people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes for glucose control
- Cholesterol and weight management
- Diabetes renal disease
Lead investigators
- Dr Michelle Choe
- Dr Catherine McNamara
- Dr Carl Peters
- Dr Simon Young
Contact (office hours only)
- Narrinder Shergill
- Clinical Nurse Specialist
- narrinder.shergill@waitematadhb.govt.nz
- 021 453 579
Emergency medicine
Emergency medicine
Main areas of research
- Simulation based learning
- Epilepsy
- Family violence interventions
- Systems research
- Positive psychology and wellbeing
- Adverse events in the Emergency Department
- Discrimination
- Equity
- Access to mental health care
Lead investigator
- Dr Johanne Egan
- Dr Andrew Ewens
- Dr Kim Yates
Contact
Enquries to the Director of Emergency Medicine Research kim.yates@waitematadhb.govt.nz
Geriatrics
Geriatrics
Main areas of research
- Frailty: quality and provision of care in residential aged care retirement villages and their residents – epidemiology, morbidity, service use
- Diverticular disease
- Driving in older people
- Vital signs remote monitoring
- Medicines optimisation in older people
- Multiple comorbidity
Lead Investigators
Dr Katherine Bloomfield
Haematology
Haematology
Main areas of research
- Malignant haematology
- Lymphoma
- Myeloma
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
- Castlemans disease
Lead Investigators
- Dr Sophie Leitch (lead Research)
- Dr Anna Elinder Camburn
- Dr Eileen Merriman
- Dr Merit Hanna
- Dr Tom Sapsford
- Dr Steven Shih, Research Fellow
Contact
- Francisca Reed
- Haematology Research Manager
- francisca.reed@waitematadhb.govt.nz
Infectious diseases
Infectious diseases
Main areas of research
- Diabetic foot infections
- Endocarditis
- Home parenteral antibiotics (OPIVA)
- Surgical site infections in colorectal and orthopedic surgery
- Clostridium difficile
- COVID-19
- Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia
Lead Investigators
- Dr Nick Gow
- Dr Hasan Bhally
Contact
Enquiries to hasan.bhally@waitematadhb.govt.nz
Interventional cardiology
Interventional cardiology
Main areas of research
- Coronary artery disease
- Invasive coronary diagnostic tests and therapy
- Novel devices
- Cutting edge technologies
- Pharmacotherapies for use in percutaneous cardiovascular interventions
Lead Investigators
- Dr Guy Armstrong
- Dr Seif El-Jack
- Dr Tim Glenie
- Dr Ali Khan
- Dr Bernard Wong
Contact (office hours only)
- Hector Gonzales
- Research Coordinator
- hector.gonzales@waitematadhb.govt.nz
- 021 777 560
Māori Health — Tino Rangahau
Māori Health — Tino Rangahau
Tino Rangahau
The centre of Māori Health Research Excellence leads and collaborates with other researchers and research teams to address Māori health equity, the Tiriti o Waitangi being at the core of the Centre's activities.
Main areas of research
The Centre has a broad research mandate focusing primarily on mātauranga and tikanga Māori, and health equity. Through collaboration and partnerships the Centre is involved in:
- cancer
- cardiology
- diabetes
- child and women’s health
- mental health
- genetics and genomic research projects.
Lead Investigators
- Dame Rangimarie Naida Glavish
- Dr Jonathan Koea
- Dr Helen Wihongi
Contact
Enquiries to the Director of Māori Health Research, email hkwresearch@waitematadhb.govt.nz
Mental health and addiction
Mental health and addiction
Clinical psychiatry and addiction
- Alcohol and drug behaviour interventions
- Neuroimaging
- Neurodevelopmental disorders
- Depressive disorder
- Psychoendocrinology
Lead Investigators
- Dr Vicki Macfarlane
- Dr Wayne Miles
- Dr Frederick Sundram
Contact
Enquiries to research@waitematadhb.govt.nz
Forensic Mental Health
We provide services at the interface between mental health and the criminal justice system, in the courts, prisons, community and secure hospital contexts. We welcome research to improve services and outcomes for service users, in all these domains.
Contact (office hours only)
- Prof Brian McKenna
- 021 100 093
- brian.mckenna@aut.ac.nz
Orthopaedics
Orthopaedics
Main areas of research
- Hip
- Knee and shoulder arthroscopy
- Joint replacement
- Prevention of surgical site infection
- Robotic surgical techniques
Lead Investigators
- Mr Ali Bayan
- Mr Robert Elliot
- Mr Bill Farrington
- Mr Peter Poon
- Mr Robert Sharp
- Mr Rupert Van Rooyen
- Mr Matt Walker
- Dr Min Yee Seow
- Mr Simon Young
Contact (office hours only)
- Nina Zeng
- Research Coordinator
- Nina.Zeng@waitematadhb.govt.nz
- Idah Chatindiara
- Research Coordinator (Mr Poon only)
- Idah.Chatindiara@waitematadhb.govt.nz
- Mei Lin Tay
- Research Coordinator
- MeiLin.Tay@waitematadhb.govt.nz
Otolaryngology
Otolaryngology
Main areas of research
- Swallowing disorders in adults and children
- Voice disorders
- Aging effects on swallowing physiology
- Impact of dysphagia on health care systems
- Surgical management of voice and swallow disorders
- Complex and acute airway management
- Spasmodic and neurogenic voice disorders
- Translational research in laryngology
- Engineering approaches to model swallowing physiology
- Reflux disease management
- In office therapies and diagnostics
- Impact of head and neck cancer on swallowing function
- Osteoradionecrosis of the jaw following head and neck cancer treatment
- Instrumental assessment of swallowing and optimizing quantitative swallowing metrics (videofluoroscopy, endoscopy and manometry)
- Laser therapies for laryngeal disease
Lead Investigators
Dr Jacqueline Allen, Laryngologist
Contact
Public health
Public health
Main areas of research
- Screening programmes
- Health interventions
- Smoking cessation
- Diabetes self-management
- Māori health gain
- Employment for people with serious mental illness
Lead Investigators
- Dr Karen Bartholomew
- Dr Robyn Whittaker (external link)
- Institute for Innovation & Improvement (i3) (external link)
Contact
Enquiries to research@waitematadhb.govt.nz
Renal
Renal
Main areas of research
- Chronic kidney disease
- End stage renal failure
- Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (PSGN)
Lead Investigator
- Dr Naveed Ahmed
- Dr Janak de Zoysa
- Dr Emad Maher
Rheumatology and stroke — Star unit
Rheumatology and stroke — Star unit
Main areas of research
- Osteoarthritis
- Osteoporosis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
- Stroke outcomes
Lead Investigators
- Dr Nicholas Child
- Dr Kristine Ng
- Dr Joe Singh
Contact
- Sue Austin
- Research Nurse
- StarUnit@waitematadhb.govt.nz
Speech-language therapy
Speech-language therapy
Main areas of research
- Oro-pharyngeal dysphagia in adults
- Aphasia
- Apraxia of speech
- Dysphagia and communication problems following head and neck cancer
- Dysarthria and alternative augmentative communication use in adults
- Neonatal and paediatric feeding and swallowing
- Cleft palate
- Early communication in tamariki with complex disabilities
Contact
- Becca Hammond
- Professional Clinical Leader SLT
- becca.hammond@waitematadhb.govt.nz
- Catherine Owen
- Clinical Leader SLT, Child Health Services
- catherine.owen@waitematadhb.govt.nz
Surgery
Surgery
Main areas of research
- Upper gastrointestinal
- Bariatric
- Breast
- Colorectal
- Neuroendocrine and carcinoid tumours
- Melanoma and skin cancer
- Bio banking
Lead Investigators
- Mr Michael Booth
- Mr Richard Harman
- Mr Mike Hulme-Moir
- Mr Jonathan Koea
- Mr Richard Martin
- Dr Mike McCrystal Oncologist
- Mr Siraj Rajaratnam
Contact (office hours only)
- Sherry Nisbet
- Surgical Research Nurse Specialist
- 09 486 8920 extension 47233
- sherry.nisbet@waitematadhb.govt.nz