Ngā Kōrero | About us
Mana-aki:
Preservation and protection of one’s mana (life force), by expressing kindness and caring.
Manawa:
This is the heart (and breath) but it is more than the anatomical structure of the organ itself. It represents the heartbeat and the pulse rate and their dynamic reaction to changes in state (e.g. threat, arousal, sickness, sleep) and forms a part of an integrative response with the other organs, which is highly personalised to the individual, and part of one’s own being.
Dame Naida Glavish, May 2019
He Pokapū Whakawhanake | A Centre of Change, for Change
Cardiovascular disease remains the greatest contributor to inequitable health outcomes in Aotearoa and it continues to impact Māori and Pacific Peoples disproportionately.
Manaaki Manawa is the only Centre for Heart Research in Te Ika-a-Māui | the North Island of Aotearoa.
Our aims are:
- In partnership with Māori and Pacific communities, work together to support cardiovascular research that addresses the gaps in cardiovascular outcomes.
- Increase the coordination and profile of basic, translational and clinical research in cardiovascular health.
- Build a platform for sustainable workforce recruitment and development through training opportunities for Māori, Pacific Peoples and women to improve heart health equity.
- Work with organisations and individuals to find novel ways to engage and excite students and the community around heart health science.
Ko Wai Mātou | Who We Are
Our expertise ranges from genome to phenome, with expertise and infrastructure to study cardiac-related function, physiology, conditions and treatments from a single cell to large populations and back again.
Professor Julian Paton
Director
Anuj Bhargava
Outreach and Education Lead
Dr Sadhana Roy
Courtney Brighouse
Our Interns
Hannah Riley (2024/25)
Mirabella Uphof (2024/25)
Poyer Reihana (2024/25)
Makayla Ripeka (2023/24)
Tea Hunia (2023/24)
James-Hardy Rorimpandey (2023/24)
Khashayar Ghafouri (2022/23)
Our Patrons
Dame Naida Glavish DNZM, Chief Advisor Tikanga Auckland and Waitemata DHB, Patron (Manaaki Manawa)
“I would like to see tomorrow’s unborn child benefit from the philosophies, the research, the intent of Manaaki Manawa. I believe that if we get it right for Māori, the tangata whenua of the land, we will get it right for everybody. And the Centre’s interest is in that – in benefits to all.”
Rob Waddell ONZM, Olympic Gold Medallist, Patron
(Manaaki Manawa)
“Atrial fibrillation plagued my rowing career from very early on. For years I didn’t know what it was. I was privileged to have a great group of people right here in New Zealand who got me treatment when I needed it … I really appreciate all the research that led to that fantastic treatment. I think Manaaki Manawa will take it to another level – amazing people coming together to help New Zealanders who might not otherwise get the focused attention I did.”