Some of the best scientific minds from New Zealand and overseas took part in the two-day Mātai symposium with the goal to share knowledge to accelerate innovations that improve quality of life, and to share with the community an update on outcomes of current Mātai research and future vision. This included discussions around the role that MRI and bioengineering plays in early detection and diagnosis of health conditions.

The Mātai team, interns and national and international speakers, presented over 46 science and community talks at the Mātai Image of the Future event.

Mātai Ngā Māngai Māori Board member, Kaumatua Taina Ngarimu opened the event with a mihi whakatau which included an outstanding kapahaka performance by Wainui Beach School. Pictured here with Mātai Kaiārahi Tikanga (cultural advisor), Davidson Taylor; and Wainui Beach School. We also had wonderful speakers from the community, Mr George Reedy, who spoke on the future of Māori health; Reweti Ropiha, provided insights into the work Turanga Health is doing to overcome Covid 19 and cyclone challenges; Mr Oka Sanerivi about novel Pacific Health models; and Krissy Mackintosh talked about the Hear4U work around suicide prevention. 

The scientists, many of whom are leaders in their field, spoke about topics such as ADHD, concussion, Parkinson’s disease, brain injury, heart research, and health models for Pacific people.

Jacqueline Kennedy, Ellyssa Lim, Tessa Newman were winners of the high-school Mātai-Kānoa Science & Technology e-poster competition, awarded by Shannon Williams, Kānoa Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit.

Missed the event? Many of the talks are available on video at: www.youtube.com/@Mātaimedicalresearchinstitute

This event was made possible thanks to the generous support of Turanga Health, GE Healthcare, the Marsden Fund, HRC, the Auckland Bioengineering Institute, and the Holdsworth Family Sunrise Fund.