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 heart beat 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:
1) In partnership with Māori and Pacific communities, work together to support cardiovascular research that addresses the gaps in cardiovascular outcomes.
2) Increase the coordination and profile of basic, translational and clinical research in cardiovascular health.
3) Build a platform for sustainable workforce recruitment and development through training opportunities for Māori, Pacific Peoples and women to improve heart health equity.
4) 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 of Manaaki Manawa, University of Auckland
“Our vision is to harness Manaaki Manawa -The Centre for Heart Research’s unique multidisciplinary expertise to drive innovative, world class, translational science to deliver more precise diagnosis, more precise risk prediction and more targeted treatment, with a common theme of ensuring equal heart health benefits for all.”
Dr Anna Rolleston
Director of Centre for Health (Tauranga), Co-Chair, Māori Advisory Group (Manaaki Manawa)
“I think the Centre for Heart Research has the ability to be a role model for how we could and should be doing research and practice and prevention. It can be like a blueprint for other groups that need to collaborate more. Manaaki Manawa can
pave the way and that will mean communities will benefit.”
Anuj Bhargava, MBBS, SFHEA
Professional Teaching Fellow & Undergraduate Advisor<br /> Outreach and Education lead, Manaaki Manawa
Manaaki Manawa to me is a collective of educators, researchers, clinicians, tauira/ students and communities that share a common goal of better heart health outcomes for Aotearoa New Zealand. We get inspiration from our local communities that call Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland home. We also aim to foster longterm and meaningful relationships with our communities of researchers, clinicians and students to develop a rich Māori and Pasifika heart health workforce.
Ms Lisa Wong, BKin (Hons), MSc
Research Operations Manager
It is a privilege to be part of Manaaki Manawa and to be a part of this movement for change. We have an opportunity here and now to create a shift in how we do research and how we excite and empower the next generation. Together, we can create positive impact for today’s patients and tomorrow’s.
Ā mātou kairangahau
Our Researchers
Dr Nikki Earle, PhD.
Research Fellow, University of Auckland
Dr. Earle is part of the Heart Health Research group led by Professor Rob Doughty. Her current research is mainly focused on cardiovascular genomics, using DNA- and RNA-based technologies to investigate the causes of coronary artery disease at different stages in the disease process, and increase the accuracy of risk assessment. She also works with the Cardiac Inherited Diseases Group New Zealand investigating methods for detecting and diagnosing inherited heart disease in the community with the aim of preventing sudden death. In 2021 Nikki was awarded the inaugural Rotary Newmarket John Burton Heart Research Award.
Dr Sadhana Roy, BMed, MMed.
Clinical Fellow, University of Auckland.
Dr. Roy is currently undertaking a research project, with the support of The Dines Family Charitable Trust, looking at discharge summaries for heart failure patients and how they may be improved.
Dr Nishith Patel, BSc (Hons), MB BCh, PhD, FRCS (C-Th).
Clinical Fellow, Waikato Hospital
Dr Nishith Patel is a Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon at the Waikato Cardiothoracic Unit. He has a specialist interest in total arterial revascularisation for ischaemic heart disease, complex aortic surgery, heart valve surgery, aortic root surgery and atrial fibrillation surgery. Dr Patel is also a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Surgery at the University of Auckland. With the generous support of John and Anne Burton Dr Patel is also a Manaaki Manawa clinical fellow undertaking research in aortic disease and aortic dissection.
Our Patron
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.”
Our Patron
Rob Waddell ONZM, Olympic Gold Medallist, Patron (Manaaki Mānawa)
“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.”
