Ā mātou rangahau | Our Research
Manaaki Manawa researchers are undertaking innovative research projects to address the problem of cardiovascular disease and improve heart health equity in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Cardiovascular Risk Prediction Model
Moving away from one-size-fits-all treatment and care
Using clinical data on over 400,000 patients, epidemiologists have developed an algorithm that predicts risk of experiencing a heart attack within the next five years. Further research is now needed to refine the model, so it can better predict the five-year risk for individual patients. With your support, researchers at Manaaki Manawa will use biomarkers, more precise diagnosis, physiological measurements and other prognostic indicators to improve the model’s accuracy, so its predictions can help guide and improve treatments.
Team includes: Professor Rod Jackson, Associate Professor Karina Poppe
New Cardiac Pacemaker
Trialling a device that could cure heart failure
Heart failure is a progressive disease, and it has no cure. Current treatments are only able to slow its development. But researchers at Manaaki Manawa have developed a new form of cardiac pacemaker, which is now ready for clinical trials. Your generous support can help us start testing this device on patients who need it and see if these lifesaving results can transform the way we treat heart failure globally.
Team includes: Professor Julian Paton, Associate Professors Rohit Ramchandra and Nigel Lever, Drs Julia Shanks, Mridular Pachen and David Crossman and Ms Bindu George
Cardiac Inherited Disease Register
Identifying people at risk of sudden cardiac death
Tragically, some genetic heart conditions only come to light when someone dies of a sudden cardiac arrest. To help identify families with inherited heart conditions and prevent sudden death, our researchers are working with the Cardiac Inherited Disease Registry NZ. We work together to identify potential genetic variants involved, and test family members for the same variants. Your support will help us to continue this genetic research, so therapies to prevent or treat these diseases can be developed.
Team includes: Professors Jon Skinner, Martin Stiles, and Drs Andrew Martin, Polona Le Quesne Stabej and Nikki Earle
Hypertension Research
A Growing Health Challenge
Hypertension is rising across New Zealand, impacting more than half of all adults worldwide. It contributes to heart disease and stroke but is often undiagnosed until it becomes severe. Even after diagnosis, fewer than 50% effectively manage their condition.
Research & Equity
Hypertension disproportionately affects Māori, Pacific communities, and those in high-deprivation areas, making it both a medical and equity issue. Manaaki Manawa is committed to advancing research and improving prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
Community & Education
The pandemic has contributed to higher hypertension rates, even in children. Our Heart Health Education Programme teaches young people about lifestyle choices, stress management, and blood pressure through interactive learning. This initiative complements Breathe, Pause, Smile, emphasizing holistic well-being.
Advancing Clinical Care
Auckland previously lacked a dedicated hypertension clinic. Manaaki Manawa has now established a specialized clinic, uniting experts to drive innovation in hypertension research and treatment. By combining research, education, and specialised care, we aim to transform hypertension outcomes for all New Zealanders.
DNA Test
A DNA test to best determine most effective drugs for lowering blood pressure in individual patients, testing a new repurposed drug for controlling life-threatening blood pressure surges, a nutraceutical trial testing a vitamin and breathing training.
Team includes Drs James Fisher, Fiona McBryde, Carolyn Barrett, Amanda Dixon-McIver, Audrys Pauza, Pratik Thakkar, Igor Felippe, Olivia Gold and Xin Shen and Professor Julian Paton
Rheumatic Heart Disease Research
Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) affects 600-800 people annually in New Zealand, with 150-200 deaths. Young people, especially Māori and Pasifika, are most impacted. RHD starts as Rheumatic Fever (‘strep throat’), treatable with penicillin. Untreated, it can progress to RHD. Factors like limited healthcare access, poverty, poor housing, and overcrowding contribute to high rates. Manaaki Manawa is working on projects to address these issues.
3D Heart Valve Project
RHD damages heart valves, requiring multiple surgeries and leading to a shortened lifespan. Most patients need mechanical valve replacements, which can be rejected and don’t grow with the heart. Manaaki Manawa’s 3D modelling project, led by Dr. Olaf Diegel, uses hydrogel to print personalized heart valves. These valves would grow with the recipient and avoid rejection, reducing the need for repeated surgeries.
Needle-Free Injector
The University of Auckland’s needle-free jet injector delivers antibiotics and insulin without needles, increasing compliance and potentially being pain-free. This device could be used for penicillin in rheumatic fever patients, though penicillin requires deeper and larger volume injections.
Image of Award winners Professor Andrew Taberner and Dr James Mckeage
Team includes Professors Jillian Cornish Olaf Diegel, Andrew Taberner, Associate Professor Rohit Ramchandra, Drs Nigel Wilson, Tyson Fricke, Massimo Caputo, James Mckeage, Marcus Ground, Alex Dixon and Ms Mirabella Uphof.
Multi-Ethnic New Zealand Study of Acute Coronary Syndrome (MENZACS)
Discovering how ethnicity impacts heart attacks
We currently don’t know why some groups, such as our Māori and Pacific Peoples, have a higher risk of developing and dying of cardiovascular disease. Treatments are also largely based on research on European males. MENZACS will help change this by studying the genetics of our diverse population and looking at why some people are more prone to heart attacks than others. Eventually, this will help inform appropriate treatment strategies.
Team includes Professor Rob Doughty, Associate Professor Katrina Poppe, Drs Nikki Earle, Anna Rolleston
Atrial Fibrillation and Womens Heart Health
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common abnormal heart rhythm, and it significantly raises the risk of stroke, heart failure, and dementia. You are more likely to have AF as you age, and/or if you have high blood pressure. Its effect on quality of life is substantial. We need to better understand the causes of AF to develop more effective and long-lasting treatments. At Manaaki Manawa we are conducting unique research spanning from human heart cells to people with AF, to answer questions such as:
- How does the nervous system trigger and sustain AF?
- Does AF differ in males and females, and why could this be?
- Why does the risk of AF in women increase significantly after menopause?
- In our communities, what are peoples experiences from AF symptom onset to diagnosis and beyond?
Team includes Professor Johanna Montgomery, Professor Martin Stiles, Associate Professor Katrina Poppe, Dr Greg Sands, Professor Bruce Smaill