Research facility opens at Kaitaia Hospital

Kaitaia resident Tikiahi Brown-Davis undergoing testing for the Waharoa ki te Toi research study with Dr Joel Pirini at Kaitaia Hospital.

The Moko Foundation-led Waharoa ki te Toi Research Centre facility at Kaitaia Hospital officially opens today, but its research has already begun.

The first volunteers have been undergoing tests over the past week as part of the research. The first study is part of a groundbreaking nationwide search for potential links between people's genetics and their risk of developing metabolic illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease.

Among the first volunteers for the study was Ezekial Raui, a trustee of the Moko Foundation and winner of a 2017 Queen's Young Leader's award.

The centre is also investigating the medical impacts of drivers for childhood obesity, such as sugar in the diet, as part of a national Sugar in Schools study.

The centre has been set up as a partnership between the Moko Foundation and the Maurice Wilkins Centre, a national alliance of more than 150 scientists and clinicians focused on research into metabolic disease, cancer and infectious diseases.

"Other aspects of this research will be looking at what medications are the best for Māori, realising that patients respond differently, partly due to their genetics," Moko Foundation chairman Dr Lance O'Sullivan said.

"This information will allow us to offer healthcare customised to the individual."

Importantly, the research would be run by people of Kaitaia, in Kaitaia, for the people of Kaitaia and Muriwhenua, he said.

Waharoa ki te Toi was granted $500,000 as part of a nationwide research programme co-ordinated by the Maurice Wilkins Centre's Professor Peter Shepherd, formerly from Kaitaia, and funded by the Health Research Council (HRC) of New Zealand.

Professor Kathryn McPherson, chief executive of the HRC, said connection, collaboration and meaningful impact for New Zealanders were key goals of the recently announced New Zealand Health Research Strategy, and the council was very keen to see the results of the research, and the benefits that came from the partnership.

The health issues being investigated caused significant problems for communities such as Kaitaia, and this was an opportunity to get ahead of the problem.

O'Sullivan said this was the first of a number of projects the foundation planned to come from Kaitaia. Having moved some of its back office to Auckland, it also showed the foundation's continued commitment to Kaitaia. The research centre is supported by Northland DHB.

"This is one of a number of research partnerships that Northland DHB is involved in, and it is fantastic that it is based in the Far North," CEO Dr Nick Chamberlain said.

"Delivering precise treatments based on our individual genetic characteristics is going to be a big part of our future, and this research is an exciting opportunity to further that knowledge and reduce the inequities in healthcare outcomes that are so prevalent in many communities throughout New Zealand."

It was also an opportunity for local clinicians to be involved in research that was relevant to their work.

Clinical director Dr Joel Pirini (Te Uri o Tai - Pawarenga), also employed by the Moko Foundation, said he was excited about applying this form of research to the local community.

"The ability to conduct research relevant to our community, in our community, is extremely important.

"As a clinician I envision the day where I can sit and talk with a patient and say that this treatment, whatever it may be, will work best for you, and I know this because it has been proven right here."