News

CENIC-NZ Study
The Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Smoked Tobacco) Amendment Bill was enacted on 13 December 2022.
HRC Project Grant announcement
Congratulations to Associate Professor David Newcombe on his HRC Project Grant for the proposal, The Evaluation of Treatment Outcomes for Methamphe
Nutrition Survey November Newsletter
The Nutrition Survey Development Newsletter is now available.
NetworkZ team at the NZASH Conference
New staff announcement – Helen Fitzgerald, Project Manager
Welcome to the team Helen Fitzgerald!
Impact of prenatal alcohol exposure on neurodevelopmental outcomes: a systematic review
Prenatal exposure to alcohol (PAE) represents a significant public health concern.
NIHI’s HealthY Policy Evaluation (HYPE) team in the New Zealand Medical Journal
The HealthY Policy Evaluation (HYPE) project published its first study paper last month in the New Zealand Medical Journal.
New staff announcement – Adrianna Yiu, Digital Design and Delivery Coordinator
We are thrilled to welcome Adrianna Yiu to the NIHI whānau, joining us as a Digital Design and Delivery Coordinator.
New staff announcement – Alexandra Rengifo, Digital Product Designer
The NIHI whānau is thrilled to welcome Alexandra Rengifo to our Digital Solutions team!
Auahi kore hapori whānui: action for smokefree communities
Auckland Council is taking the national Smokefree 2025 goal seriously by investing to create a smokefree Tāmaki Makaurau by 2025.
Recognising long service staff
We took the time to celebrate and acknowledge some of our long serving staff members earlier this year.
NetworkZ's new care setting - Obstetrics and Gynaecology course
Here comes the newest care setting to NetworkZ's fleet of simulations!
Mental Health Awareness Week and SPARX
Mental Health Awareness Week | 26 September - 2 October 2022
New employment opportunity! Project Manager – Health Research & Evaluation
NIHI is on the hunt for a Project Manager to join our team!
Digital technologies enabling equity and scale in healthcare
Why is making more and better use of digital technologies one of the five ‘system shifts’ the New Zealand government is emphasising in the healthca
NetworkZ simulation demonstration
An amazing experience getting a first-hand glimpse into the amazing mahi that our NetworkZ team does across Aotearoa.
NIHI scavenger hunt
At NIHI we are very fortunate to have our wonderful social committee who plan awesome and educational activities for the team.
Employment opportunity - Data Manager
Are you passionate about data? NIHI is seeking an experienced data manager to join our busy and growing team!
Congratulations to Professor Boyd Swinburn, DIET Programme Co-Director!
Congratulations to Professor Boyd Swinburn, DIET Programme Co-Director, on his recent prestigious awards including WPT James Award of Public Health
Comprehensively assessing mental health needs in Pacific countries
A new research project by Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland researchers and Pacific partners aims to investigate mental health challenge
Food Price Elasticities for Policy Interventions: Estimates from a Virtual Supermarket Experiment in a Multistage Demand Analysis with (Expert) Prior Information
Congratulations to Professor Tony Blakely, DIET Programme Co-Director, whose paper was awarded the runner-up best paper prize in the Economic Recor
Employment opportunity - Programme Finance Advisor
An exciting opportunity for an experienced Programme Finance Advisor has just landed!
FASD Virtual Reality Tool
What is it like to have FASD? If you are a caregiver of someone with FASD, you, your child and your family could help us find out.
Effect of voluntary Health Star Rating labels on healthier food purchasing in New Zealand: longitudinal evidence using representative household purchase data
Research from the DIET Programme investigates the effects of Front-of-Pack labelling (FoPL) on the quantity of foods and different nutrients purcha
Global Week of Action on NCDs | Monday 5 September - Sunday 11 September 2022
The Global Week of Action on NCDs in 2022 aims to get a message across to governments, donors, international agencies and private sector: Invest in
NIHI shared morning tea
Connecting as a team and welcoming some new staff members to the NIHI whānau with some shared kai!
SimGHOSTS - NetworkZ hitting the world stage
Thank you Emma Hauck for your virtual presentation at SimGHOSTS, Texas.
HiNZ Leadership Summit | 5 & 6 September 2002
HiNZ Digital Health Leadership Summits provide a valuable opportunity for leaders from across the healthcare sector to discuss the next steps in Ne
SPARX provides teenagers with the skills to combat difficult emotions
When tough days happen, it can be overwhelming for both parents/caregivers and young people, but it makes a difference when you’re equipped with th
Cess@Tion team on The Heat 99.1FM - Part 2
A brand new clip of Taylor Davis and Sharon Tang from our Cess@Tion team as they continue their korero about our stop smoking trial with Norm on Th
Employment opportunity - Digital Delivery Coordinator
How does being part of the exciting digital health interventions, and making a difference to the health and well-being of our communities sound?
Thank you for attending the NetworkZ Update Webinar!
Massive thanks to everyone that joined the NetworkZ community at the Update Webinar earlier this month!
NZ FASD Diagnostic Guideline meetings
Save the dates for this series of four Aotearoa New Zealand FASD Diagnostic Guideline Stakeholder engagement wānanga across the country (Auckland,
NetworkZ staff promotion - Emma Hauck, Simulation Education and Service Delivery Manager
We are thrilled
New staff announcement - Larisa Karteleva, Project Coordinator (Analytics and Evaluation)
We're delighted
New staff announcement - Project Support Assistant, Caitlin Haliburton
We are thrilled
TextMATCH – Text Messaging for MATernal and Child Health
Are you pregnan
CESS@TION - A Stop Smoking Study, recruitment is now open!
We’re inviting
Use of eMental health increases as industry calls for national hub
The Mental Heal
Establishing Long COVID services in Aotearoa NZ – what can we learn from overseas?
Long COVID (LC)
SPARX | Cat Levine at Hobsonville Point Secondary School
Cat Levine had
Job vacancy - Project Coordinator, Analytics and Evaluation
Do you have exp
#WorldHealthDay: Our Planet, Our Health | 7 April 2022
In the midst of
Come see us at the HiNZ virtual Digital Health Conference!
The HiNZ2022 Vi
HiNZ Virtual Digital Health Conference | 30-31 March 2022
It is THE place
Parents plead, ‘please don’t let our kids become criminal statistics’
New evidence sh
Covid 19 Omicron outbreak: Cardiologist warns of tidal wave of heart disease linked to long Covid
Long COVID is defined as symptoms arising th
Foetal alcohol injuries in NZ 'could be five times higher' than some official figures suggest
Health professionals, teachers and advocates
FASD-CAN's new website is now live
FASD-CAN (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Ca
Covid-19: GP shows how to fit your N95 and surgical mask at home
We all know face masks are one of the key we
Digital Health Month | March
The National Institute for Health Innovation
The International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) now live
The World Health Organization (WHO)'s Eleven
'Harmful advertising' heavily outweighs children's exposure to branding, study finds
A new study has found children are exposed t
Research recruitment - FASD survey
Kia Ora, all Social Workers, Mental Health W
PAUSE research recruitment
Do you have children aged 10-14 years in your care, but unsure about the pros and cons of social media use, and of what to do about it?
The cost of excess weight in New Zealand
Excess weight contributes to health problems costing New Zealand at least $2 billion a year - a preventable condition that warrants more policy act
February – Heart Awareness Month
In February - Heart Awareness Month, we promote heart checks, heart-healthy food, sitting less and moving more.
World Cancer Day | Friday 4 February
The new World Cancer Day 2022-2024 campaign theme - 'Close the care gap', is about identifying and addressing the barriers that exist for many peop
Job Vacancy - Causal Project Support Assistant (Kaiāwhina Tautoko Pūtere) for Cess@Tion
Are you looking for an opportunity to gain experience in the field of health and addiction research?
The National Institute for Health Innovation (NIHI) new General Manager, Vanessa Ding
We are excited to announce that The National Institute for Health Innovation (NIHI) has appointed a new General Manager to lead the strategic devel
Screen time: How much is too much? Newsroom article by Dr Samantha Marsh
How much screen time is too much?
Welcome to our new staff - Juma Rahman, Project Coordinator
Please join us in welcoming Juma Rahman as a Project Coordinator to the NIHI whānau!
Welcome to our new staff - Vicky Lukan, Project Finance Administrator
Please join us in welcoming Vicky Lukan as a Project Finance Administrator to the NIHI whānau!
Staff Promotion - Samantha Marsh promoted to a Senior Research Fellow - Level 1
Please join us in congratulating Samantha Marsh who has been promoted to a Senior Research Fellow - Level 1 as of the end of 2021.
Congratulations! HRC Health Activation Grant awarded to Jessica McCormack
We're absolutely delighted to announce that Jessica McCormack has been awarded a HRC Health Activation Grant for her work in the investigation of s
Congratulations to Dianne Wood for being promoted to the Project Manager of SPARX
NIHI is very proud to be involved in the roll out of SPARX in Aotearoa.
Predicting CVD risk across the atherosclerotic disease continuum
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) guidelines dichotomize populations into primary and secondary prevention.
National Institute for Health Innovation end-of-year celebration
This past year has been one for the books!
2021 National Institute for Health Innovation Values Awards winners
The NIHI Values Awards are one of the ways we recognise and celebrate the dedication of our people to our values, and the contribution they have ma
The Briefing podcast - Does New Zealand’s tobacco ban make sense?
The Smokefree Aotearoa 2025 Action Plan - creating a smoke-free generation of Kiwis.
Participate in NIHI study - PAUSE - Promoting positive adolescent Use of Social mEdia
Do you have children aged 10-14 years in your care? Would you like to support positive social media use in children?
Annual Update of Key Results 2020/21: New Zealand Health Survey
The Annual Data Explorer presents results from the 2020/21 New Zealand Health Survey, with comparisons to earlier surveys where possible.
New research by NIHI - The ugly truth about salty snacks and stroke
A new research by the National Institute for Health Innovation (NIHI), commissioned by the Stroke Foundation, found out that only half of the 888 c
Aotearoa New Zealand - 28th November - Drive smokefree for tamariki
In Aotearoa New Zealand, second-hand smoke is the greatest cause of death from among any environmental causes.
Food policy strategies to improve population diets: Mind the evidence gap
For most of human history including much of the 20th century, insufficient food was the greatest nutritional challenge.
National Institute for Health Innovation celebrate Thanksgiving
The NIHI whānau came together on the 25th of November to celebrate and share all the things we're thankful for in 2021.
Importance of Primary & Secondary Diagnostic Codes to Study ANZACS-QI 47
Routinely collected health administrative data has become an important data source for investigators assessing disease epidemiology.
UoA recruitment - National Institute of Health Innovation Research Assistants
Do you have have a qualification in the public health, psychology, psychological medicine, statistics, or related field?
WHO urges countries to invest in helping more people to quit tobacco
The fourth global tobacco trends report just released by WHO this week shows that there are 1.30 billion tobacco users globally compared to 1.32 bi
Medication alone not enough to treat mental health issues in Kiwi kids, UNICEF warns
A global report investigating the mental health of children and teenagers is calling for urgent funding to help children, and New Zealand is not im
Setting targets to reduce NZ children’s sugar intakes through food reformulation
#SugarAwarenessWeek
Dietary patterns associated with meeting the WHO free sugars intake guidelines
#SugarAwarenessWeek
7-year trends in the availability and sugar in non-alcoholic beverages in NZ: 2013-2019
#Sugar Awareness Week
International Sugar Awareness Week | Monday 8 - Sunday 14 November 2021
The first ever International Sugar Awareness Week will take place between 8th-14th November 2021.
Demographic discrepancies in prioritisation of multiple ethnic identifications
Ethnic classification is an inherently subjective process, especially when multiple ethnic identifications are involved.
Findings from adapted tobacco control campaigns in countries with limited resources
There has been an increase of adapted tobacco control media campaigns in low- and middle-income countries.
Make cigarettes nicotine-free and we’ll stub out smoking for good
A game-changing move to make cigarettes non-addictive will be a decisive nail in the coffin of smoking harm in New Zealand, write professors of pub
I-SPARX designed for indigenous Nanuvut young, Northern Canada
Did you know? There's an adaptation of SPARX designed specifically for indigenous Nanuvut young people of Northern Canada, called I-SPARX.
Prevalence and Types of Non-Nutritive Sweeteners in the NZ Food Supply, 2013 and 2019
The widely recognised association between high sugar intakes and adverse health outcomes has increased consumer demand for products lower in sugar.
UniServices staff enjoy an extra day off over the long Labour weekend
Special thanks to the UniServices Executive Leadership Team for working on ways to support their staff during these challenging times.
NIHI wins Ministry of Health Tender - National Nutrition Survey
Unhealthy diet is the leading preventable risk for poor health in New Zealand with dietary risk factors such as low fruit and vegetable consumption
Congratulations Amanda Calder and Shistata Shrestha! - NIHI staff promotions
A big congratulations to Amanda Calder and Shistata Shrestha who have both been internally promoted within the NIHI Project Management Team.
New Cochrane Review: 'Electronic cigarettes for smoking cessation'
Can electronic cigarettes help people stop smoking, and do they have any unwanted effects when used for this purpose?
Welcome Berit Follong, Project Nutritionist, to the NIHI whānau!
We are delighted to welcome Berit Follong to the NIHI whānau as a Project Nutritionist!
Celebrating three Pacific Language Weeks in October - Fijian / Niue / Tokelau
As we conclude the Pacific Language Weeks this year by celebrating the Fijian, Niuean, and Tokelauan cultures in October, we would like to share so
Saying Goodbye in Lockdown - Haere rā, Karen Carter, General Manager of NIHI
Goodbyes are never easy, and lockdowns make them even harder!
NIHI announces the release of SPARX Version 2! - NOW LIVE!
We've been counting down to this day - SPARX version 2 is now live!!
Reducing health harms from non-medical cannabis use: Guidelines
A new article in International Journal of Drug Policy, 'Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines (LRCUG) for reducing health harms from non-medical canna
Mental Health Awareness Week 2021:mā te kōrero - take time to kōrero!
The theme for this year's Mental Health Week is mā te kōrero - take time to kōrero!
Impacts of COVID-19 on Care of NCD Patients in Low/Middle-Income Countries
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted millions of lives around the world, with people having underlying noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) being at highe
Calling all Educators! Survey for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD)
Researchers at the University of Auckland are conducting research to understand the knowledge, attitudes, and awareness of FASD (fetal alcohol spec
How does the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 mRNA vaccine work? (Te Reo)
In line with Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori check out this video developed by the UniServices IMAC team on how the COVID19 vaccine works – all in te reo!
Lessons learned from a remote blood pressure lowering trial in Aotearoa
Technologies such as smartphone apps, Wi-Fi-enabled data collection devices, and web-based data management systems offer the opportunity to deliver
Updated New Zealand Guidelines for Helping People to Stop Smoking
Smoking cessation is a crucial tool for improving health equity in Aotearoa.
Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori: Māori Language Week | Monday 13 September - Sunday 19 September 2021
Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori: Māori Language Week (Monday 13 September - Sunday 19 September 2021) is an opportunity to promote Aotearoa New Zealand's in
NIHI celebrates Māori Language Moment | Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori
NIHI Reo Māori Quiz
Global Week for Action on NCDs | Monday 6 - Sunday 12 September
The Global Week for Action on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) (Monday 6 - Sunday 12 September) aims to unite the NCD movement each year under a sp
FASD Awareness Day - NIHI virtual morning tea
FASD is one of the most common forms of developmental disability – and it is entirely preventable.
UniServices 'Good Sorts' Awards - NIHI July-August nominations. Thank you!
Once a month, UniServices runs the Good Sorts peer-to-peer recognition programme where colleagues spend some time in recognising all the good thing
NIHI is growing! We're seeking a Data Management Support Analyst to join our team!
Would you like to join our expanding multidisciplinary team?
Gambling Harm Awareness Week (GHAW) | 30 August - 5 September 2021
Talking about our gambling helps keep us safe, that's why the focus for GHAW this year is to celebrate the power of kōrero.
Opportunities now available to join our growing whānau ! We are recruiting !
Would you like to join a team passionate about making a difference? The NIHI whānau is growing!
Scholarship for Grabs ! - Healthier Lives - National Science Challenge
A Scholarship of up to $14,000, funded by Healthier Lives - National Science Challenge, could be yours!
DIET - Shopping for nutrition: here's how to get value for your money
Dietary Interventions: Evidence & Translation (DIET) is a world-leading population nutrition research programme run through the University of A
Mission Ready partnership with the National Institute for Health Innovation
NIHI has partnered up with Mission Ready this year to provide some in-work experience to those branching out in the technology field.
International Youth Day - Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health
The theme of this year’s International Youth Day is ‘Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health’.
The Multi-Ethnic New Zealand Study of Acute Coronary Syndromes (MENZACS)
Did you know? In New Zealand, 15% of all deaths annually are caused by ischaemic heart disease and one in four major coronary events are fatal.
Dr Eric Topol: Webinar - The 4 Waves of the United States COVID-19 Pandemic
NIHI had the privilage of co-hosting a live Q & A session with Dr Topol discussing the 4 Waves of the United States COVID-19 Pandemic on 11 Aug
Our team is growing! We welcome Beryl Thomas to the NIHI whānau!
Beryl is taking up a position as a developer in our Applications Development Team and we are thrilled to have him on board.
The high price of a diet that’s healthy for you – and for the planet
Having sustainable and healthy diets is a key tool in the fight against climate change, but new University of Auckland research shows that in New Z
Celebrating the NIHI Mid-year Event! That 70's Quiz! Check out our teams!
This year's NIHI Mid-year Event was all about the 70's.
Cook Islands Language Week | Sunday 1 August - Saturday 7 August 2021
This year's Cook Islands Language Week theme is ‘Ātuitui’ia au ki te Oneone o tōku ‘Ui Tupuna which means, connect me to the soil of my ancestors.
2021 HRC Grant - Developing and Testing Warning Labels to Reduce Alcohol Purchase
Congratulations to Associate Professor Natalie Walker, Professor Cliona Ni Mhurchu and the rest of their team for their 2021 HRC Project Grant for
2021 HRC Grant - Cytisine and E-cigarettes Study with Supportive Text-messaging
Congratulations to Associate Professor Natalie Walker, Professor Chris Bullen, Dr George Laking and the rest of their team for their 2021 HRC Proje
Associate Professor Andrew Kerr awarded the New Zealand Cardiac Medal
Please join us in congratulating Associate Professor Andrew Kerr for being awarded the New Zealand Cardiac Medal at the NZ Region’s Annual Scientif
Mobility restrictions and the incidence of COVID-19 - a real-time evaluation
Dr Kathryn Bradbury discusses folic acid fortification on Breakfast
Folic acid (Vitamin B ) has been shown to reduce the risk of developing defects of the brain, spine or spinal cord in babies when taken in early pr
NIHI - long serving staff members
NIHI would not be able to do the amazing work that we do without our amazing staff.
‘Cost and greenhouse gas emissions of current, healthy, flexitarian and vegan diets in Aotearoa (New Zealand)’ – new publication by Bruce Kidd
Congratulations to our very own Bruce Kidd and the rest of the team of researchers on the success of their recent publication in the BMJ Journals –
NIHI Matariki shared lunch
New Zealand will be celebrating Matariki this year from 19 June to 11 July.
Cancer Grand Challenges - MCEND shortlisted for prestigious awards!
A massive congratulations to Professor Chris Bullen, Dr Natalie Walker and the rest of the MCENDS (Multinational Consortium on Electronic Nicotine
mPR - MedTech CoRE Conference
Associate Professor Robyn Whittaker presented on the Flagship 7: Adaptive mHealth Pulmonary Rehabilitation (mPR) project at the 6th Annual MedTech
Welcome Tatum Evans to the NIHI whānau
NIHI welcomes Tatum Evans to our whānau as a Product Designer.
The impacts of COVID-19 on the care of individuals with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs)
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted healthcare worldwide.
Men's Health Week | Te Wiki Hauora Tāne | 14-20 of June 2021
Men’s Health Week, Te Wiki Hauora Tāne (14th - 20th of June) is a campaign committed to lifting the profile and awareness of men's health issues in
How effective are antidepressants in treating teen depression?
A number of studies point to an increasing use of antidepressants in young people. But do they actually work?
NIHI welcomes back Jacqui Grey from parental leave
The NIHI whānau is thrilled to welcome back Jacqui Grey from parental leave.
Congratulations to Jimmy (Jinsong) Chen – PhD
Congratulations to Jimmy (Jinsong) Chen on receiving his PhD on the 2nd of June 2021 from The University of Auckland.
Congratulations to Dr Joanna Chu - 2021 HRC Explorer Grants
Congratulations to Dr Joanna Chu for being awarded one of the 2021 HRC Explorer Grants!
NIHI welcomes Sandanee Samarakoon to the whānau
NIHI welcomes Sandanee Samarakoon to the whānau.
Behaviour change interventions designed to improve the health of Pacific people
A study by Amio Matenga-Ikihele and NIHI researchers explored the characteristics of behaviour change interventions designed to improve the health
Celebrating International Clinical Trials Day
NIHI celebrated International Clinical Trials Day (20/05/2021) with a morning tea and a Scavenger Hunt organised by the NIHI social committee to ra
Effect of an electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDSs)
Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDSs) are used by some smokers to reduce cigarette consumption. But, are they effective?
A population-based study of household food and drink purchases in New Zealand
Does the healthiness of food and non-alcoholic drink product purchases vary according to retail store type?
Professor Chris Bullen discusses the governments planned initiatives to help meet the 2025 Smokefree target
NIHI’s Director Professor Chris Bullen discusses the governments planned initiatives to help meet the 2025 Smokefree target, including the proposal
mPR team at MedTech CoRE outreach day
Members of the mPR team at NIHI recently participated in the MedTech CoRE outreach day at Nga Taiatea Kura in Hamilton.
Leg ulcer RCT publication
NIHI has a long track record of research into the treatment of venous leg ulcers led by Professor Andrew Jull.
FHiNZ founding fellows announced
NIHI is extremely pleased that Honorary Associate Professor Robyn Whittaker, NIHI’s Co-Lead eHealth/mHealth programmes has been named as a founding
Celebrating International Woman's Day
Some of NIHI’s leaders, emerging leaders and generally all round amazing bunch of women gathered online to celebrate International Women’s Day 2021
Chris Bullen on The Panel on RNZ National
We are days away from the country's largest ever mass vaccination programme, but research has found 24 percent of Kiwis are unlikely to have a COVI
COVID coverage with Professor Chris Bullen
NIHI Academic Director, and Deputy Head of The School of Population Health at the University of Auckland, Professor Chris Bullen, discussed the res
Bring on better bangers
Sausages on the barbie – a great Kiwi summer tradition.
After the pandemic: Will our system of healthcare change?
We have seen a global shift in the delivery of services in the healthcare sector in response to Covid-19.
Technology Matters: SPARX - computerised cognitive behavioural therapy for adolescent depression in a game format
SPARX is a free game-like self-help resource that has helped reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety in New Zealand youth.
Let the children play, science says
2020 was a rather challenging year for us in many aspects, from health concerns, extended home confinement, job uncertainties to financial pressure
Prime Minister visits Grafton Campus to announce vaccine campaign
Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, visited Auckland University and thanked the staff there for their work during the pandemic and unveiled government
Fruit juice health rating slashed
Pure fruit juice is having its health rating slashed - putting it on the same, or even lower level, than diet coke.
The NIHI Values Awards
The NIHI Values Awards are one of the ways we recognise and celebrate the dedication of our people to our values, and the contribution they have ma
ASPIRE 2025 and NIHI online symposium - report
On November 19, ASPIRE 2025 and the National Institute of Health Innovation (NIHI) partnered to co-host the fourth annual ASPIRE-NIHI Research Symp
Headline: ASPIRE 2025 and NIHI online symposium
ASPIRE 2025 and NIHI online symposium: 9am – 12.30pm Thursday 19 November 2020
OL@-OR@ on the New Zealand Medical Journal
Congratulations to the OL@-OR@ team for their latest publication on the New Zealand
Free HiNZ webinar - digital inclusion
NIHI is sponsoring a HiNZ webinar on digital inclusion and ways to ensure the vulnerable are not left behind on Wednesday 11 November at 12.30 pm.
Cochrane review on E-cigarettes
NIHI’s Director, Professor Chris Bullen, is a co-author of the prestigious Cochrane review on E-cigarettes (ECs) and their effect on quit rates whi
Academics and supermarket chain collaborate for study to encourage healthy food purchases
NIHI and Countdown have co-designed a study to highlight opportunities to further build on knowledge that could promote healthy food purchasing dec
Women prisoners and FASD
'Punitive culture' managed by force at NZ's largest women's prison” reported on the medical needs of women prisoners not being met because of poor
NIHI sponsoring eMental health webinar
NIHI is pleased to be sponsoring the upcoming HiNZ webinar eMental Health and The Pandemic.
Dr Kathryn Bradbury interviewed Sigma Nutrition Radio podcast
Dr Kathryn Bradbury was interviewed by Danny Lennon for the Sigma Nutrition Radio podcast.
REMOTE-CR shortlisted for Heart Best Paper Award
The REMOTE-CR trial result paper has been shortlisted for the 2019 Heart Best Paper Awar
Reducing NZ Children’s Sugar Intakes: Guidance from DIET programme
High sugar intake has been associated with tooth decay in children, and increased risk of obesity and heart disease in adults.
Tencent Opinion Piece on video games and mental health
Professor Chris Bullen and Jinsong (Jimmy) Chen have published an opinion piece on the Tencent news site about video game engagement during the COV
OL@-OR@ wins e- & mHealth 2019 publication award
The OL@-OR@ mobile health programme was co-designed with Māori and Pasifika communities in New Zealand, to support healthy lifestyle behaviours.
Dr Kathryn Bradbury receives the UoA VC’s Early Career Research Excellence Award 2020
Dr Kathryn Bradbury was recently awarded the UoA VC’s Early Career Research Excellence Award 2020.
Dr Will Reedy’s interview on health innovation
Dr Will Reedy, CEO of Spark Health talks at Digital Health Insights with Scott Arrol, a podcast featuring key thought leaders on all things digital
World Smokefree Day
World Smokefree Day is celebrated every year on May 31.
Drinking more alcohol during the pandemic? Researchers launch free app to help people reduce their alcohol use
Many people have increased their alcohol consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic, often because they want to relax, are bored, stressed or anxious
New app for people experiencing gambling problems
The National Institute for Health Innovation (NIHI) has developed a new app called Manaaki for people experiencing harms or problems from their gam
Celebrating International Nurses Day
Every year on 12 May, we celebrate the all important work of nurses around the world.
NIHI has been awarded an important MAS grant
We are happy to announce that NIHI has been awarded $16,000 from the MAS Foundation to develop an online platform that will distribute info
Did you know that ZOOM fatigue is a real thing?
Zoom Fatigue (substitute zoom with Teams, Skype etc…) is real!
Household chaos and the impact on the wellbeing of children
Household chaos, represented by the level of disorganisation or environmental confusion in the home, has been associated with a range of adverse ch
A refreshed look and feel for SPARX
SPARX, the e-therapy tool provided by the University of Auckland, has just been updated with a refreshed look.
World Health Day - Celebrate the nurses & midwives
As part of the WHO World Health Day, today 7 April we celebrate the significant work of nurses and midwives.
Professor Chris Bullen on TenCent news feature
Our Director, Professor Chris Bullen made an appearance at Ten Cent news to discuss recent developments on Gamification.
NIHI’s latest actions to support Govt. and COVID-19 response
Professor Chris Bullen has been appointed as a member of the Technical Advisory Group’s epidemiology sub-group, to provide advice and expert commen
NIHI acts rapidly to respond to COVID-19
Since the outbreak of COVID-19 NIHI has been working to develop proposals and innovative tools to support essential services and the Government whe
‘MyTeen’ on RNZ - Click to listen
Researcher Dr Joanna Chu joined in Nine to Noon show to talk about 'MyTeen' and
Congratulations to Associate Professor Robyn Whittaker
A recent review of 20 years of research into digital health behaviour change technology has found NIHI's Associate Professor Robyn Whittaker to hav
Healthier Lives Project Awarded
Congratulations to Prof Cliona Ni Mhurchu and her project team on being awarded funding by the Healthier Lives National Science Challenge to evalua
In 2015, the Ministry of Health requested that all New Zealand District Health Boards (DHBs) implement a healthy food and drink organisational Poli
Digital Health Week conference – HiNZ 2019
Digital Health Week NZ features over a range of events and workshops, catering to the various professions and topics within digital health.
Between 20 and 22 November, 1,400 delegates headed to Hamilton to attend the Digital Health Week conference – HiNZ 2019.
Exploring perspectives around youth well-being, parenting, and parenting support
Development of MyTeen Text Messaging Program to Support Parents of Adolescents: Qualitative Study
Parents play an important role in the lives of adolescents, and supporting and addressing the needs of families continue to be the focus of many re
Finding our way out of ‘quick and dirty’ social media
"No, we are not 100 percent certain of the impact social media is having on our well-being and the well-being of those around us.
Dr Samantha Marsh recently wrote a piece for Newsroom about how we interpret use of social media and its impact on our lives.
Digital Health Week
Join us at HiNZ Digital Health Week.
Digital Health Week NZ runs from Monday 18 November to Friday 22 November 2019, at Claudelands in Hamilton.
NIHI is on the move
NIHI will soon be relocating to University of Auckland's Grafton campus from 25 November 2019.
We're excited to announce that we will be moving into our new home in Grafton in late November.
Growing Health Innovation with Manoj Alwis
NIHI turns 30 this year. That’s 30 years of ground-breaking work that has help shape research, informed policy and driven innovation.
What were you doing 30 years ago?
Celebrating 30 Years of NIHI
On Monday 9th September, over 150 attendees registered to attend a full day conference at Grafton Campus, to recognise NIHI’s 30th
Growing Health Innovation with Dr Joanna Chu
NIHI turns 30 this year. That’s 30 years of ground-breaking work that has help shape research, informed policy and driven innovation.
What were you doing 30 years ago?
Nicotine-based vapes, plus patches most effective method to quit smoking: new study
A new study has discovered nicotine-filled vapes could help people give up smoking faster.
Growing Health Innovation with Dr Rosie Dobson
NIHI turns 30 this year. That’s 30 years of ground-breaking work that has help shape research, informed policy and driven innovation.
What were you doing 30 years ago?
New Zealand’s Waitematā DHB develops Digital Academy
Honorary Assoc.
Starship launches app that will help combat antibiotic resistance challenges
Recently we partnered with Starship Hospital to create a children-specific version of our successful adult antibiotic prescription app, Script.
AUDIO Study reveals fast food growth spurt
COVID-19 UPDATE, 15th April 2020
NIHI’s response to COVID-19
Professor Chris Bullen’s involvement in the COVID-19 response
Our Director, Professor Chris Bullen along with other Epidemiological experts from the University of Auckland are working on using datasets available from the IDI to model where potential future COVID-19 ‘hotspots’ may occur.
NIHI develops chatbot to answer patient queries
12 October 2018
Researchers at the National Institute for Health Innovation are developing a chatbot to answer patients questions after surgery.
The two-year Engagebot project is funded by a Health Research Council Explorer Grant, which support transformative research ideas.
NIHI ehealth and mhealth co-lead Gayl Humphrey says the aim is to determine if creating a chatbot in this area is possible, useful and acceptable to patients.
Information for GPs and other health professionals
Updated 20 June 2022
NIHI at Health Informatics New Zealand
4 December 2018
NIHI’s work was showcased at the recent Health Informatics New Zealand (HINZ) conference in Wellington. NIHI’s booth in the exhibition hall displayed a range of our mHealth and health informatics projects being carried out. There was a lot of interest by conference delegates with existing collaborations strengthened and new contacts and relationships formed.
World Smokefree Day 2019
15 May 2019
Every year, on 31 May, is an opportunity to highlight World Smokefree Day.
It's a day of raising awareness of the harmful effects of tobacco use and second-hand smoke exposure and to encourage people who smoke to quit.
Why more carbs can actually be good for you
A New Zealand-led scientific review has found people with a diet high in fibre - specifically whole grains - have lower rates of a range of chronic diet-related diseases. Dr Kathryn Bradbury from NIHI said there was good evidence that higher intakes of whole grains were associated with a lower risk of bowel cancer and lower body weight.
Games for Health
28 May 2019
This is a feasibility study investigating whether serious games can improve children's knowledge of healthy lifestyles and type 2 diabetes.
EngageBot at ISRII 2019
18 February 2019
At the recent International Society for Research on Internet Interventions (ISRII) in Auckland, one of our chatbot developers, Dr Jamal Zolhavarieh presented our project EngageBot.
Should Health Star food ratings be mandatory?
Hāraurau ngā purapura hou kia puāwai - Watch our new seeds blossom
13 May 2019 | UPDATE
This study has now closed recruitment. You can still visit our webpage to find out more but no further downloads of the app will be possible. Thank you to all of those who are participating.
2 April 2019
"Wanting the best for our children is what I, and all parents and whānau, want," says Gayl Humphrey, the lead investigator in our See How They Grow study.
Voices from OL@-OR@
10 June 2019
Hear from some of our participants in the video or check out the results with the Māori (in green) and Pasifika (in red) communities below.
Energy labelling for alcoholic beverages
16 April 2019
Do we need energy labelling on our alcohol packaging? Does it impact on people's purchasing and consumption of alcohol? Some of the team here at NIHI recently set to work to find out more about what, if any, impact labels showing kilojoules or calories would have if they were including on alcohol packaging.
Growing Health Innovation with Karen Carter
18 July 2019
Karen, what were you doing 30 years ago?
Fresh, people-led approach for smokefree communities
Recently, some of our researchers worked closely with the team at Hāpai Te Hauora to look at how Auckland could work to reach the government’s goal of Smokefree 2025.
eHealth TV interviews Associate Professor Robyn Whittaker
7 August 2019
Associate Professor Robyn Whittaker recently sat down with eHealth TV at Precision Driven Health's Winter Research Day at Whenua Pupuke, North Shor
The Consortium of Universities for Global Health (CUGH) Conference
23 April 2019
Associate Professor Robyn Whittaker and Dr Rosie Dobson, along with colleagues Dr Judith McCool (University of Auckland), Dr Chris Paton (University of Oxford) and Dr Smisha Agarwal (Johns Hopkins), ran a satellite session at the recent CUGH conference in Chicago.
OL@-OR@ are Finalists at the Best Awards
22 August 2019
The OL@-OR@ team have been named as a finalist in the Best Design Awards 2019 Public Good category.
Research links coffee and tea consumption to lung cancer
13 May 2019
There is no shortage of research into the health benefits of coffee.
NIHI successful in latest HRC funding round
NIHI researchers have been successful in the latest Health Research Council funding rounds being awarded funding for a programme and two project grants.
Professor Cliona Ni Mhurchu has been awarded a programme grant to test the health impact of supermarket strategies and Health Star Rating labels. The research team will look at strategies to support healthier diets across four different domains; at an individual level, government level, food industry level and public health level.
Kiwi women are continuing to drink when pregnant, according to fresh figures from the Growing Up in NZ Study
NIHI's Professor Chris Bullen speaks to Jack Tame on Breakfast about the results of fresh figures from the Growing Up in NZ Study, showing Kiwi women are continuing to drink when pregnant, with 23 per cent drinking in their first trimester.
Successful Projects for the Spark Health Digital Innovation Programme 2020
Dr Ehsan Vaghefi – Toku Eyes
“THEIA – mobile diabetic retinopathy screening AI”
Q&A: Does NZ have a place for e-cigarettes?
Opinion: Amid the global backlash against e-cigarettes three researchers discuss outcomes of their New Zealand trials on vaping and provide some cl
Discussion on the therapeutic benefits of nicotine-containing e-cigarettes to smokers worldwide who want to quit the killer habit is being overtake
The 2017 Global Burden of Disease study released this week
16 November 2018
“The 2017 Global Burden of Disease study released this week indicates that our focus at NIHI on discovering innovative interventions to tackle the non-communicable disease and their risk factors is right on the mark,” says NIHI Director, Professor Chris Bullen.
Detection of smoking status from retinal images; a Convolutional Neural Network study
15 May 2019
Cardiovascular disease continues to be the leading cause of death globally.
Fellowships Success at NIHI
It’s been a stand out year for NIHI’s emerging researchers according to NIHI Director Professor Chris Bullen.
Foods, macronutrients and breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women
27 May 2019
This research looked at the associations between diet and breast cancer in a really large study of approximately 700,000 women in the UK.
Recruitment for free healthy lifestyle programme opens
Are you a fan of rugby? Want to get fit? You may be eligible to take part in a free healthy lifestyle programme being run through the Blues and the Highlanders.
We are looking for male rugby fans who are interested in improving their health and fitness to take part in RUFIT-NZ, a 12-week healthy lifestyle programme delivered through professional rugby clubs. In order to participate, you will need to be 30-65 years old and be overweight.
Get Good Done
28 May 2019
NIHI at ISRII 2019
21 February 2019
NIHI’s work was showcased at the recent ISRII (International Society for Research on Internet Interventions) 10th Scientific Meeting. The international conference brought together experts from around the world in digital health research, including researchers, developers, clinicians, policy and practice leaders, engineers and computer scientists from across the public and private sectors. Presentations included:
RuFIT Continues
4 June 2019
Rewarding. Challenging. Fun. That's how our recent participants have described the RuFIT Programme.
After several rounds of our RuFIT programme, we're excited to be looping back to begin another 12-weeks with The Blues.
Understanding the Relationship Between BMI and Mortality
2 April 2019
In this editorial, we comment on a recent paper by Sun and colleagues which used Mendelian Randomisation to try to estimate the causal relationship between BMI and mortality.
Books4Tonga
10 June 2019
Books4Tonga is a charity that has been set up to establish village libraries in Tonga to enhance the writing, reading and speaking of English.
Māori, male and overweight? New study combines whakapapa and Super Rugby
16 April 2019
"Once a lot of Māori males hit 30, sport drops off and physical activity drops off and our rates of obesity increase really quickly," says Dr Ihirangi Heke (Waikato-Tainui).
Growing Health Innovation with Helen Eyles
20 August 2019
Thinking back, where were you 30 years ago when NIHI was first forming?
Red meat eaters have higher risk of developing bowel cancer, study finds
18 April 2019
Each bottle of beer you drink and steak you eat could be increasing your risk of bowel cancer, new research has found.
Dr Kathryn Bradbury, from NIHI and University of Auckland, found people who consumed red meat even within recommended daily guidelines had a 20 per cent higher chance of developing bowel cancer than those who ate one-third as much.
PDH and HRC Announce Postdoctoral Fellowship Recipient in Data-Driven Precision Health
20 May 2019
Congratulations to Dr Rosie Dobson, who has become the first recipient of the joint Postdoctoral Fellowship from Precision Driven Health (PDH) and
Keck School of Medicine
23 April 2019
Associate Professor Robyn Whittaker and Dr Rosie Dobson along with colleague Dr Jude McCool (University of Auckland) recently visited the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.
Growing Health Innovation with Dr Natalie Walker
26 August 2019
Thinking back to when NIHI was first formed, what were you doing at the time?
Are artificial sweeteners better for you than sugar?
Watch NIHI's Professor Cliona Ni Mhurchu on TVNZ's Breakfast as she discusses whether artifical sweetners are better for you than sugar.
Find My Fund
13 May 2019
Director, Chris Bullen, recently represented NIHI at University of Auckland's event Celebrating Research Excellence.
AUDIO New study aims to find out if food labels affect our choices
http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/professor-cliona-ni-mhurchu-do-labels-on-packaged-foods-affect-our-choices/
COVID-19 UPDATE, 3rd April 2020
NIHI’s response to COVID-19
Since the outbreak of COVID-19 NIHI has been working to develop proposals and innovative tools to support essential services and the Government wherever possible. We’ve put together a short list of the projects we have been working on in the last few weeks.
DIET Symposium held in Wellington
10 September 2018
Professor Cliona Ni Mhurchu and the HRC-funded DIET programme team held a symposium in Wellington on the 4th September 2018, ‘Tackling Diet-related Disease in NZ’, to share results of the 5-year research programme with key stakeholders. The symposium was opened by Hon Dr David Clarke, Minister of Health, and finished with a panel discussion chaired by Kim Hill.
Information for people experiencing Long COVID and their whānau
Updated 20 June 2022
Prof Chris Bullen discusses the current meningitis outbreak with Emma Espiner, Newsroom
28 November 2018
New Zealand is in the grip of a meningitis outbreak. This week the government announced an urgent vaccination campaign for the hardest hit communities in Northland.
Vaccines are in short supply internationally, as many other countries struggle to deal with their own outbreaks.
Clinical Trials Day 2019
23 May 2019
Clinical Trials Day is celebrated around the world in May to recognize the day that James Lin started what is often considered the first randomized
What are the current issues for the food industry?
Professor Cliona Ni Mhurchu joined a panel hosted by Kim Hill to discuss the practical and social dilemmas associated with tackling the diet-related disease in New Zealand. Listen in here.
He waka eke noa Better Together
27 May 2019
This event was hosted by A Better Start – E tipu e Rea – National Science Challenge.
Hack Aotearoa 2019 - Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare
24 January 2019
Our team were recently involved in Hack Aotearoa 2019 - Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare, a conference where health professionals, data scientists and innovators from across Aotearoa, were immersed in workshops and discussion on the concepts of Artificial Intelligence, including machine learning, natural language processing and image recognition.
30 Years of NIHI
14 March 2019
NIHI is celebrating 30 years of undertaking and managing clinical trials and service delivery.
The Wellbeing Budget
6 June 2019
“The Coalition Government has signalled major new investments in mental health and addictions, an area where NIHI has much to offer with our innova
Smoking among young teens nearly stubbed out - survey
4 April 2019
Smoking among young teen students appears close to being stubbed out, a new survey suggests.
Activity and Nutrition Aotearoa Conference
11 Jun 2019
Recently, some of our team attended the Activity and Nutrition Aotearoa (ANA) Conference.
Three of our researchers, Professor Cliona Ni Mhurchu, Dr Leanne Young and Dr Helen Eyles, recently attended the Activity and Nutrition Aotearoa Co
We were all there supporting each other to achieve our own goal but as a group - RuFIT-NZ Study
18 April 2019
“They didn’t treat us as unfit people. They treated us as equals. They saw us as a group of guys prepared to come, listen and change.”
Eat My Lunch
20 Aug 2019
The NIHI team recently wanted to give back to the local community.
What is the best way to use nicotine replacement therapy to quit smoking?
23 April 2019
Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is a medicine that is available as skin patches, chewing gum, nasal and oral sprays, inhalers, lozenges and tablets that deliver nicotine to the brain.
Are the mysterious lung illnesses linked to vaping?
19 August 2019
US health officials are investigating almost 100 cases of a mysterious lung illness linked to vaping and e-cigs. But before you freak out, have a l
SPARX Goes Global
29 April 2019
On an April morning in Iqaluit, Ayesha Eyegetok sits down to test-drive a new video game. The scenery of snow and rock resembles the Nunavut landscape. A stone centrepiece fountain is decorated with arctic animals, including a narwhal. The characters are Inuit men and women, standing in traditional, fur-lined parkas, waiting for the player to begin a quest that teaches lessons in mindfulness and coping strategies.
Grant awarded to test impact of supermarket strategies and Health Star Rating labels
Professor Ni Mhurchu's team has been collecting information on composition, labelling and ingredients of packaged foods in New Zealand for the past five years.
World Smokefree Day 2019
15 May 2019
Every year, on 31 May, is an opportunity to highlight World Smokefree Day.