"It's wonderful ... it's helped decrease the number of babies separated from their mums and rushed to an ICU where they get a drip put in, and it's increased the instances of breastfeeding."
Because it was such a simple treatment, it was picked up and used around the world very quickly, which delighted Harding.
Now, she is leading a large programme of work to understand the long-term outcomes of improved nutrition around the time of birth.
"We need to be sure that treatments that appear to have value in the short term ... don't have later adverse effects."
READ MORE:
• Top honour for scientist behind breakthroughs in the care of newborns
• Ground-breaking New Zealand baby study gets US cash boost
• Nutrition study hopes to prevent learning difficulties in premature babies
• New Zealander of the Year: $2 gel massage keeps newborns' brains safe
Harding is also focused on building up and supporting the future scholars and researchers of New Zealand at the University of Auckland-based Liggins Institute and within her capacity as the New Zealand Secretary for the Rhodes Trust.
Harding was awarded New Zealand's top science honour, the Rutherford Medal, in September last year.
At 64, she isn't slowing down.
"There are always more questions to be answered."