The Health Research Council has awarded three University of Auckland researchers Māori and Pacific Emerging Leader fellowships.

The Health Research Council of New Zealand (HRC) has announced more than $5.6 million in funding to help support nine up-and-coming Māori and Pacific health researchers to become leaders in their field. The 2024 Māori and Pacific Health Research Emerging Leader Fellowships are valued at up to $650,000 each and include three recipients from Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland.

The two Pacific recipients are Seuta‘afili Dr Patrick Thomsen (Faculty of Arts) and Dr Sam Manuela (Faculty of Science). Dr Thomsen receives $645,799 over 48 months for his research ‘Manalagi: Addressing discrimination in healthcare for Pacific Rainbow+’. Dr Manuela receives $551,786 over 48 months for his research into ‘Enhancing Cook Islands mental health practices, knowledge, and research’.

Māori emerging research leader Dr Kimiora Henare (Ngāti Haua, Te Rarawa, Te Aupōuri) receives $649,412 over 48 months. His research is focused on addressing a potential workforce challenge related to the delivery of precision oncology, where doctors and patients choose treatments based on the DNA signature of an individual patient’s tumour.