--- title: "2026 Waitematā District Contestable Research Grants" canonical: "https://research.refined.site/space/Research/48333258/2026%20Waitemat%C4%81%20District%20Contestable%20Research%20Grants" format: markdown --- **DATES:** The 2026 grant round is now closed. **DOCUMENTS:** The following grant documents are valid for the 2026 round: *(click each thumbnail to download)* **REGISTERED RESEARCH:** All applications must have evidence of either existing registration and approvals (specific to the application’s research question) or a new registration and approvals (use the [Single Research Application Form - SiRAF](https://redcap-hnz.hanz.health.nz/surveys/?s=TCA8WKRJCELXWK8P)). If your research project only has a SiRAF number (SiRAF-2026-#####), state this in place of the WAI##### in the application and associated documents. | **Note: **for the Pre-Award Approval of Research Process, complete the Single Research Application Form question about funding source** **as:** Health NZ Contestable Research Grant **(see below for context). | | --- | | ![SiRAF screenshot funding CRG.png](media://38ff8d76-d28b-4f21-8ade-9fa22cf36c0f) | **VALUE AND BUDGET:** The maximum value that can be requested is $150,000 and the duration of the award can be up to 24 months. Note that budget items such as equipment, supplies will be purchased through Health NZ. Use quotes or unit costs obtained through Health NZ rather than other sources such as the University of Auckland as pricing may differ. This grant cannot be used for salary support for any Health NZ employees. The term **investigator**,** **used in the grant guidelines,** **extends to those collecting data or performing evaluations or providing care as part of the research. If you are unsure about whether any budget items are eligible, please contact [Waitematā’s Research Grants Co-ordinator](mailto:victoria.andersen@tewhatuora.govt.nz). **BIOSKETCHES**:  Anyone who is listed on the grant as providing services that are either critical to the research project or of significant monetary value should provide a biosketch to outline their experience and ability to provide these services.  Also consider the [ICMJE criteria](https://www.icmje.org/recommendations/browse/roles-and-responsibilities/defining-the-role-of-authors-and-contributors.html) and how these relate to those named in the research either as investigators or in the budget as a guide for who should provide biosketches.  ### **GUIDELINES OVERVIEW: ** - Principal investigator must be an employee of Health New Zealand or be collaborating with / have a co-investigator in a Waitematā team or service. - The research project must be primarily focused on, and conducted within, Waitematā District. - Equity is a focus for all grants this year and research-impact, including dissemination, must be addressed in applications. - Funds cannot be used to support ‘add-on’ studies of larger, external projects. - Research proposals can be qualitative, quantitative or mixed-method. - All grant budgets must be reviewed by the research management accountant. - Standard [Pre-Award Approval of Research process](https://research.refined.site/space/Research/48333045/Research+Grants+processes) applies. - Research requiring Ethics approval will need to obtain this before any funds will be released to successful applicants but Ethics are not required at grant submission. ### *Queries: * For questions relating to the grant, email [Waitematā’s Research Grants Co-ordinator](mailto:victoria.andersen@tewhatuora.govt.nz) ## **PAST AWARDS: ** ## **2025** ## **2024** The following research projects are currently active: | **Lead researcher & Department** | **Title** | **Summary** | | --- | --- | --- | | | | | | | | | ## **2023**   Contestable Research Grants were not run this year. ## **2022** The projects that have been awarded funding in the 2022 Waitematā Contestable Research Grants are: #### **Project grant** Dr Eva Fong, Department of Urology. *"* *Validating a novel patient reported outcome measure to capture patient centred functional outcomes before and after treatment for urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse and complications of surgery"*  $45,000.00, 24 months. | | | | --- | --- | | **Summary:** | Historically, significant harm that has occurred with surgical mesh pelvic floor surgery. There is a need to have a patient reported outcome (PRO) measure for mesh (and non-mesh) pelvic floor surgery that reflects what is important to consumers. Complications of pelvic mesh surgery for stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse can lead to life altering consequences for wāhine in relation to te taha tinana, taha wairua, taha hinengaro, taha whānau as depicted in the holistic Māori model of health- Te Whare Tapa Whā Māori by Tā Mason Durie.
Current patient reported outcome measures in the pelvic floor area, do not address the detection of the complications adequately, they are symptom based and designed to demonstrate efficacy of treatments based on symptom based improvement. Recent research identifies the gap that wahine are facing; “Hearing and Responding to the Stories of Survivors of Surgical Mesh, Ngā kōrero a ngā mōrehu – he urupare” 2018 from Victoria University who published a report of narrative experiences of 600 mesh affected consumers in Aotearoa New Zealand. The key themes of this restorative justice report were that women were not listened to, did not know where or how to seek help, disabling physical symptoms were described with significant psychological effects including contemplation of suicide. Similarly, an American group, Dunivan et al, published on the patient perspective of adverse events of pelvic surgery which showed that medical and surgical adverse effects are regarded as severe in the short term. Whereas in the medium and long-term, failure of treatment, inability to resume daily activities (and alignment with initial expectations) and impact on sexual function and relationships are considered severe adverse effects. They also identified that our current “patient reported” outcomes do not capture there functional and relationship effects. Both these research studies suggest that our current PROs might best be defined as “surgeon-defined” patient measures of success.
There is a need to develop a tool which reflects “success” of treatments for pelvic floor conditions in terms of patient perceptions of positive and negative impacts on them. Given the significant problems that have been encountered with mesh mid urethral synthetic slings, it seems important to develop a measure of subjective success in the form of a patient reported outcome that is inclusive of the things that matter most to patients. | #### **Small project grants** Dr Grace Taylor, Orthopaedics. *"* *Standard of care and outcomes for Māori patients with neck of femur fractures – an ANZHFR study"* $15,000, 3 months. | | | | --- | --- | | **Summary:** | Proximal femur (hip) fracture is a common injury in the elderly, with over 25,000 cases reported to the Australian and New Zealand Hip Fracture Registry (ANZHFR) in 2019 . Hip fractures are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The ANZHFR reports proximal femur fractures to be the most serious and costly fall-related injury suffered by older people. The loss of independence and function has flow-on effects to both the healthcare system and the wider community, with an approximate cost of $1 billion to the economy each year. The global number of hip fractures is expected to increase from 1.26 million in 1990 to 4.5 million by the year 2050 . The studies of hip fractures elsewhere in the world have demonstrated inequities in post operative outcomes between ethnicities. In New Zealand, recent studies in orthopaedic access and outcomes have demonstrated inequities affecting the indigenous Māori population. Specifically, Māori were found to have a higher burden of osteoarthritis, as well as poorer access and outcomes to orthopaedic treatment. To date, the ANZHFR has not collected data on ethnicity.
The purpose of this study is threefold: to compare the demographic differences between 23 Māori and NZ Europeans undergoing surgery for hip fractures; identify any deficiencies in initial, surgical and post op care between Māori and NZ Europeans; and identify differences in outcomes. Overall, we aim to identify any inequities in the standard of care received by Māori, and whether these differences affect their outcomes post care. | Dr James Shand & Dr Carl Peters, Endocrinology/Diabetes.  “*A pilot study to test the safety, tolerability and feasibility of dulaglutide during a low-energy diet for remission of type 2 diabetes"* $20,000, 12 months. | | | | --- | --- | | **Summary:** | Diabetes and obesity are related conditions that are responsible for a significant national and global health burden. In the New Zealand context, Māori and Pacific peoples are disproportionately affected by both conditions - contributing to poorer overall health outcomes. Prior studies have demonstrated that a 12-week low energy diet is capable of inducing significant weight loss in people with diabetes and obesity. This weight loss leads to diabetes remission in up half of those treated with such a diet. However, these diets can be difficult to adhere to due to the hunger associated with reduced caloric intake.
Dulaglutide is a new diabetes medication that is given as a once-weekly self-administered subcutaneous injection. This medication has a number of benefits beyond glucose lowering, including reduced rates of heart and kidney disease. In addition, dulaglutide results in moderate weight loss, owing in part to its ability to reduce hunger.
The study we are undertaking involves the combination of a low energy diet and dulaglutide in individuals with diabetes and obesity. This is a pilot study to assess the tolerability of this combination with the results informing decisions about future trials and potentially broader implementation of this combination. We have sourced trial participants from the diabetes outpatient service at Waitematā and have preferentially enrolled Maori and Pacific individuals who make up around three quarters of our cohort. | Dr Phillip Chao & Dr Sunny Srinivasa, Department of General Surgery. *"* *Simulation Training In Laparoscopic Technical Skills (STILTS): A Pilot Study"* $18,500, 10 months. | | | | --- | --- | | **Summary:** | Laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery started at North Shore Hospital in the early 1990s. Despite laparoscopy becoming the standard technique for many surgical procedures, there is no formalised training for new doctors to acquire laparoscopic technical skills until admission to a surgical training programme, which is often several years after graduation. The current apprenticeship training model involves an ad hoc introduction in the operating room at the expense of increased operative time and a potential for increased risk. Alternatively, simulation-based training is a safe and effective way of training laparoscopic technical skills. This pilot study aims to be the first simulation-based training programme for laparoscopic technical skills in Aotearoa/New Zealand. It will assess the feasibility of such a programme in a busy tertiary teaching hospital that is also the only public hospital to have a full minimally invasive surgery (MIS) service. The programme will be delivered using validated simulation equipment and curriculum, and assessed through validated objective measures. These include the quality and efficiency of technical skills.
The results will facilitate development of a larger study to evaluate the effectiveness of simulation[1]based training for complex MIS. Potential benefits include improved patient outcomes, which are correlated with operative technical skills, participant doctors’ improved technical skills and career satisfaction, cost-benefit in reduced operating times and enhanced teaching opportunities for consultant surgeons. An effective, evidence-based training programme will build MIS capacity in the public healthcare system to ensure equitable access and outcomes. | ## **2021** The projects that have been awarded funding in the 2021 Waitematā Contestable Research Grants are: **Project grant** Dr Michal Kluger, Department of Anaesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine. *"Barriers and enablers to engagement in chronic pain services for Māori, Pasifika and Asian people with chronic pain."* $28,865.24, 18 months. | | | | --- | --- | | **Summary:** | Chronic pain is extremely prevalent in NZ and internationally affecting one in five people. It is more prevalent in Māori, and clinically worse for Māori and Pasifika who experience more intense and disabling pain than others. Yet Māori, Pasifika and Asian people are under-represented in the patient population at chronic pain services throughout NZ, including at WDHB. Virtually no research has investigated the barriers and enablers to engagement in chronic pain services for these groups. Stage 1 of the current study aims to investigate reasons for non-engagement in people who did not return triage questionnaires and therefore did not receive an appointment. Structured phone interviews will be conducted with 125 people (25% Māori, 25% Pasifika, 25% Asian and 25% NZ European/Pākehā) to note reasons for non-engagement. Following this, 3 focus groups will be conducted, one for Māori, one for Pasifika, and one for Asian people (or approx. 15 individual interviews if COVID restrictions are in place). Focus groups will explore barriers and enablers to engagement. Stage 2 aims to implement a new system to collect triage information from patients referred to the Waitematā Pain Services in keeping with the findings from stage 1. The new triage system will be evaluated by a plan-do-study-act cycle, assessing completion rate for all patients over 18 months. Usability, satisfaction and outcomes questionnaires will provide the data with which to make changes throughout the study timetable. The study will have a specific focus on Māori, Pasifika and Asian communities, with the goal of improving access to the service for these communities. | **Small project grants** Dr Jacqui Allen, Otolaryngology. *"Routine swallow screening of hospitalized at-risk patients."* $15,000, 12 months. | | | | --- | --- | | **Summary:** | Dysphagia (swallowing difficulties) and associated malnutrition are common in older people across community, hospital and aged care settings in New Zealand. Dysphagia is associated with pneumonia, mortality, longer hospital stays and increased hospital costs irrespective of the disorders causing the dysphagia. For older adults without a specific diagnosis or history of swallowing impairment but who are battling a serious illness, lower functional reserve, comorbidities, and medications may cause swallowing problems. Routine screening for swallow is not conducted in New Zealand hospitals. This study aims to evaluate the impact of a swallow screening protocol on one regional acute care hospital. The Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) will be used to screen for self-reported swallowing problems and a score of >7 will be the trigger for speech-language therapy (SLT) referral. All patients admitted on the Frailty pathway as Frail (score 3-5) at NSH will be invited to participate. All patients over 75yrs old (Māori >65 yrs) admitted at NSH Emergency Department or NSH Admission & Discharge Unit (APU) will also be invited to participate. The study will assess risk factors associated with worse EAT-10 scores and whether early identification of swallowing problems and subsequent SLT intervention reduces morbidity and mortality over the following 30 days. Routine screening can identify those at risk of dysphagia early in their admission and allow teams an opportunity to intervene positively in this process, preventing secondary complications, shortening hospital stay and reducing cost. | Dr. Chynna Gleeson, Department of Orthopaedics. *"Ethnic differences in the utilization and outcome of Patients undergoing Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty in New Zealand: an analysis of the New Zealand Joint Registry."* $5,000, 8 months. | | | | --- | --- | | **Summary:** | Osteoarthritis is prevalent in New Zealand and Māori have higher burden of disease. The treatment for symptomatic osteoarthritis that has failed non-operative management is total joint replacement. Overseas research demonstrates inequity in utilization of Total joint replacement between different ethnic groups, with limited research conducted at a regional level in New Zealand suggesting this is also the case for Māori. Results for this are conflicting when comparing publicly funded treatment alone with combined public and private, which is suggestive of issues with access to treatment for Māori. The New Zealand Joint registry (NZJR) captures >95% of hip and knee arthroplasty procedures in NZ and records outcomes. In 2020, a data matching process with the Ministry of health was carried out, allowing detailed ethnicity information to be combined with arthroplasty data for the first time. Prior to this, the NZJR did not have any mention of the words 'Ethnicity' or 'Māori' in their annual reports. We propose a comprehensive study with quality data and longer time frames to identify equity issues within the provision of THR and TKA in NZ, and a further analysis of the current status of patients referred for consideration of hip and knee arthroplasty at WDHB and the wider Auckland region. The overall objective of this study is to measure inequities and look at current trends in the NZJR related to ethnicity. This is important to clarify where the disease burden, is and forecast future outcomes, ultimately enabling future planning to provide equitable health in NZ. | --- ###### Last reviewed July 2026 Author: Victoria Andersen