Medical Research Institute of New Zealand - MRINZ

19/12/2025

As 2025 draws to a close, we thank all our MRINZ whānau — collaborators, partners, alumni, study participants, funders, and supporters. Your mahi and encouragement make our research possible. We wish you a restful festive season and look forward to reconnecting in the new year.

We close at 5 pm today and reopen at 9 am on Monday, 12 January 2026. 🌟 Ngā mihi o te Kirihimete me te Tau Hou.

10/12/2025

Endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain are costing New Zealand more than $22 billion every year. A just published first-of-its-kind national study led by MRINZ Research Fellow Dr Jordan Tewhaiti-Smith shows productivity loss accounts for 65–75 percent of total costs.

“These figures reflect a major public health issue, consistent with the burden seen in other significant national health conditions such as Diabetes, Crohn’s, or Rheumatoid Arthritis. Yet the majority of costs fall disproportionately on individuals because of under-resourcing, inconsistent care pathways, and delayed diagnosis" says Dr Tewhaiti-Smith.

Endometriosis New Zealand Chief Executive Tanya Cooke says the findings confirm what those living with the condition have long experienced. “The financial, emotional and physical toll of endometriosis can be enormous, and too often New Zealanders are left to shoulder it alone.”

Associate Professor Mike Armour, senior author of the study, says we risk further inequity without urgent change. “Without system-level change, we will continue to see fragmented treatment, delayed diagnosis, and widening inequity for those most affected.”

A milestone study led by the Medical Research Institute of New Zealand (MRINZ) has revealed that endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain impose an annual economic burden of more than $22 billion on Aotearoa New Zealand — placing these conditions among the country’s most significant public health i...

05/10/2025

MRINZ Director Richard Beasley joined Susie Ferguson on RNZ Saturday Morning to discuss our latest Lancet study. Richard shared insights from the findings which show that 2-in-1 inhalers can reduce asthma attacks in children by nearly 45% — a result that could make a real difference for millions of kids, both here in Aotearoa New Zealand, and worldwide.

Researchers say millions of children around the world with asthma could benefit from a new study led by Kiwi scientists.

28/09/2025

Last night TVNZ 1 shared news of our CARE Study findings, published yesterday in The Lancet — 2-in-1 asthma inhalers can cut children’s attacks by nearly half compared with salbutamol, the global standard.

Harriett, one of our CARE participants, shone in the 1News piece, representing the 360 incredible Kiwi kids, and their whānau, who took part. Their contribution gives us the evidence to better align children’s asthma care with adults — offering stronger protection and brighter futures. Ngā mihi nui, Harriett — and to all the remarkable kids around the world living with asthma. 😮‍💨✨

As the story aired here in Aotearoa, Professor Richard Beasley was in Amsterdam presenting the findings on behalf of Dr Lee Hatter and the study team at the European Respiratory Society 2025 Congress. All in all, an important day for the MRINZ — at home and on the world stage.

Imperial College London Global Initiative for Asthma Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ Health Research Council of New Zealand Cure Kids Perpetual Guardian AstraZeneca

Read more here 👉https://www.mrinz.ac.nz/news/breakthrough-study-finds-2-in-1-combination-inhaler-close-to-halves-childhood-asthma-attacks

A new study shows a combined inhaler used by adults can cut childhood asthma attacks nearly in half — without affecting growth or lung function.

20/09/2025

To close out this , we honour the pathways that bring te reo Māori into the heart of health research.

MRINZ Researcher Bianca Crichton’s connection to whakapapa and whenua has been woven through her mahi in health, and embracing te reo has strengthened her connection to culture, tūpuna, and identity.

“Hoki atu ki ō maunga kia purea koe e ngā hau o Tāwhirimātea” — Return to your mountain to be cleansed by the winds of Tāwhirimātea.

Read Bianca’s story. Kia kaha te reo Māori!

He mokopuna au nō Tainui me Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Pūkeko, he uri au nō Ingarangi, Aerana me Kōtirana hoki. Ko Bianca Crichton tōku ingoa. I was born in Invercargill like my Mum and my Nana, and grew up in the beautiful, cold mountains of Tāhuna Queenstown. Most of my life has been in Te Waipounam...

19/09/2025

This , we celebrate the voices shaping the future of public health and research in Aotearoa.

Jackson Smeed-Tauroa, Assistant Research Fellow at MRINZ, shares how his whakapapa, whānau, and te reo Māori guide his mahi in the ICU — “Hoki whakamuri, kia anga whakamua.”

Read Jackson’s story and discover how whakapapa, whānau, and te reo guide his mahi.

Kia ora, ko Ngaati Korokii-Kahukura tōku iwi, ko Poohara tōku marae, kei te noho au ki Te Whanganui-a-Tara, ko Jackson Smeed-Tauroa tōku ingoa.   I was born and raised in the suburbs of Te Whanganui-a-Tara, surrounded by whānau, friends, and a wider community that has shaped who I am today

18/09/2025

Kupu o te rā: Mākoha (Mah-koh-hah) 😌🌿

Mākoha a beautiful word that speaks to gentleness, compassion, and a quiet strength. Mākoha can describe someone who is considerate, kind-hearted, and calm in their approach. It’s about showing empathy and understanding, even in challenging situations. In a world that often celebrates loudness and speed, mākoha reminds us of the power in being soft, thoughtful, and deliberate.

Let’s carry mākoha with us today in our kōrero, our mahi, and our interactions with others. Aroha mai, aroha atu❤

18/09/2025

This , the MRINZ honours journeys that connect us to heritage, language, and whānau.

Trisha Falleni, MRINZ Māori Advisor, shares her path of discovering identity later in life, embracing te reo, and carrying ancestral wisdom — “I walk backwards into the future with my eyes fixed on the past.”

Read Trisha’s story and be inspired to speak, listen, and live te reo Māori.

Walking Backwards Into the Future     Tēnā koutou katoa, e te whānau.    I am Trisha Falleni, and I am proud to stand as a Māori wahine toa, embracing my heritage and the language of my ancestors. My journey as a Māori, and my relationship with te reo Māori, has b

17/09/2025

Kupu o te rā: Tamāhine (Tah-mah-hee-nay) 🌺👩👱‍♀️

Tamāhine refers to a female child in te reo Māori, often used to describe one’s own daughter. It’s a beautiful kupu that carries deep whānau significance.

Why not try using tamāhine in your kōrero today? Whether you're chatting with friends, writing a journal entry, or teaching your tamariki, every use helps strengthen our reo.

🗣 Example sentence: “Ko Amy taku tamāhine. (Amy is my daughter.)”

16/09/2025

Kupu o te rā: Ngeru (Neh-rroo) 🐈🐾

Ngeru means cat in te reo Māori. Whether you're a cat lover or just admire their graceful independence, it's a great word to sprinkle into your day. Maybe you’ve got a ngeru curled up at home, or you’ve spotted one sunbathing on the footpath, now you’ve got the kupu to match.

🎥 Stay till the end of the video for a special treat… adorable ngeru pics 😍

15/09/2025

Kupu o te rā: Tīmata (tee-mah-tah)🌱

Tīmata means to begin, start or to commence. Whether you're learning your first kupu, joining a new kaupapa, or simply starting your day tīmata reminds us that every journey begins with a single step.

📸 Stay tuned for our upcoming kupu o te rā as we celebrate te reo wiki o te reo Māori together! 😊

14/09/2025

Kia ora, ko tēnei te wiki o te reo Māori! Happy Māori language week😊

Our kupu o te ra is "Mārie" (maa-ree-eh) meaning calm, peaceful and harmonious. Let this kupu guide your day, find a moment of mārie in your mahi, your whānau, or within yourself🌿

This September commemorates the 50th anniversary of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori. Born of activism, the week grew from a single ‘Māori Language Day’ set up in 1972. The seeds of a full week dedicated to te reo Māori were planted in 1974. By 1975 Te Wiki had found its footing and was off! Its growth and gains are what we celebrate 50 years on.

Te Wiki o te reo Māori takes place from 14 – 20 September 2025.
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