Pūtahi Manawa - Healthy Hearts for Aotearoa NZ

𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞: 𝐀 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫-𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬-𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐛𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲.

Dr Wilda Laux from the Our Heart, Our Genes, Our Story Integrated Research Module at University of Auckland - Waipapa Taumata Rau is on a mission to make science more accessible, and the Bento Lab is enabling hands-on DNA discovery for students in remote areas of New Zealand

For Dr Laux, hands-on genomics belongs in the classroom, not as an advanced extra for the few, but as an accessible way for all students to understand the science shaping health, medicine, and their own futures.

Read the full story by Bento Lab - https://bento.bio/story/making-genomics-visible-a-teacher-led-approach-to-hands-on-molecular-biology/

Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland

A teacher-led approach to hands-on molecular biology Wilda Laux is on a mission to make science more accessible, and the Bento Lab is enabling hands-on DNA discovery for students in remote areas of New Zealand.

By the end of 2026, Auroiana Etelei will become the first Pacific and Samoan genetic counsellor in Aotearoa New Zealand, graduating with a Master of Genetic Counselling from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS).

Auroiana’s Master’s research has focused on Pacific perspectives and attitudes towards genetic testing for inherited cardiac conditions.

She hopes the findings will contribute to the development of culturally appropriate resources that make genetic information more accessible and meaningful for Pacific families.

“There’s a huge gap between best practice in genetic testing, and what our Pacific communities understand,” she says.
“As a Samoan woman, I understand the importance of communicating in ways that respect Pacific cultures, values and ways of connecting. People deserve information that makes sense to them and reflects who they are.”

Her research was recognised last week at the Human Genetics Society of Australasia Conference in Ōtautahi Christchurch, where she received the Best Student Presentation award.

Listen to her interview with Pacific Mornings' Will Terite about her unique career interest - https://pmn.co.nz/read/health/samoan-researcher-wants-genetic-heart-care-to-work-for-families

PMN News
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Mary-Ann Moller (Rarotonga, Rakahanga), a 2025 Pūtahi Manawa Pacific Doctoral scholarship recipient studying at Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka | University of Otago, is exploring lagoon bathing as an ecologically valid therapy to potentially lower blood pressure and support broader wellbeing in the Cook Islands.

Read the full story in the comments

𝐓𝐞 𝐊𝐨𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐢 𝐏ū𝐭𝐚𝐡𝐢 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐰𝐚 𝐊𝐚𝐩𝐚 𝐇𝐚𝐤𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭

𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟕 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭.

You don't need to have everything worked out at this stage, just your "who".

To submit your intention to apply, email your research team details to [email protected]

Lineni Tuitupou from Whakaata Māori put this story together, demonstrating the importance of this kaupapa and how Māori-led solutions can drive mainstream health practices.

New research seeks data on how kapa haka affects the heart A new Māori-led research project aims to back up traditional understanding with clinical data on heart health and cardiorespiratory fitness.

Join us for an interactive showcase of MedTech innovations, from life-saving medical devices and AI-powered diagnostics to wearable technologies and digital health solutions shaping the future of healthcare.

📅 Thursday 27 August 2026
⏰ 10am–3.30pm
📍 AUT South Campus, MH Building
640 Great South Road, Manukau City Centre, Auckland
🎟 Free entry | Open to everyone

Register now via the link in our bio or here: MedTech Explorer Showcase 2026

Tag someone who should come along! 👇

   

We're pleased to announce a new grant worth up to $300,000 to support a Māori-led research project investigating how kapa haka contributes to cardiovascular health and wellbeing.

The 𝐓𝐞 𝐊𝐨𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐢 𝐏ū𝐭𝐚𝐡𝐢 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐰𝐚 𝐊𝐚𝐩𝐚 𝐇𝐚𝐤𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭 invites researchers to explore an area that has long been recognised by Māori communities but has rarely been measured through cardiovascular research.

Assoc. Prof. Karen Brewer, Co-Director Māori for Pūtahi Manawa says, "𝘞𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘔ā𝘰𝘳𝘪 𝘭𝘪𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯 𝘔ā𝘰𝘳𝘪 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴. 𝘒𝘢𝘱𝘢 𝘩𝘢𝘬𝘢 𝘪𝘴 𝘶𝘯𝘢𝘱𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘔ā𝘰𝘳𝘪, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘔ā𝘰𝘳𝘪 𝘢𝘭𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘪𝘵 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘧𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘩 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘶𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘭𝘶𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦."

🚨 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐧𝐨𝐰

𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐝𝐮𝐞: 𝟕 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔
𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞: 𝐌𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟏𝟖 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

Assoc. Prof. Karen Brewer spoke to Waatea News about the grant. Listen to the full interview here - https://waateanews.com/2026/07/29/can-kapa-haka-heal-the-heart-maori-led-research-explores-the-health-power-of-culture/

Find out more and apply through the link in the comments.

#hauora: Can Kapa Haka Heal the Heart? Māori-Led Research Explores the Health Power of Culture - Waatea News: Māori Radio Station A groundbreaking Māori-led research project is set to investigate whether one of Aotearoa’s most celebrated cultural practices could also become a powerful tool for improving cardiovascular health. Associate Professor Karen […]