A Week of Impact: Pūtahi Manawa Joins the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand to Champion Equity in Heart Health.
The 2025 Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSANZ) New Zealand Annual Scientific Meeting, held at the Energy Events Centre, Rotorua, 23-25 May, was one of the most important New Zealand conferences on the Pūtahi Manawa Centre of Research Excellence calendar. It was a busy week with the Early Career Researchers Heart Health Forum and Te Whare Tukutuku indigenous workforce day preceding the two-day meeting.
“The cross-discipline connections and knowledge sharing between the diverse patient and community-facing attendees help us to reach our vision of heart health equity for Māori and Pacific People in Aotearoa,” stated Linda Fotherby, Pūtahi Manawa Manager.
Pūtahi Manawa hosted a powerful equity-focused session, chaired by Dr Anna Rolleston (The Centre for Health/Manawaora Integrated Health and Research) and Erina Korohina (Manawaora Integrated Health and Research), that brought together a group of Māori and Pacific researchers and clinicians who are leading important rangahau to address persistent inequities in cardiovascular care for tamariki and their whānau.
Pūtahi Manawa Tamariki Ora – How are we doing with equity?
Dr Simone Watkins shared findings from a scoping review on critical congenital heart disease (CCHD), which revealed that non-European race/ethnicity is a confirmed marker of risk for poor infant survival in CCHD due to disparate risk factor distribution, as well as disparate access to and decisions within healthcare policies and systems.
Saraya Hogan explored how whakawhanaungatanga shapes communication within genetic counselling and cardiac care. Her kōrero highlighted the importance of trust, cultural safety, and taking time to build meaningful relationships with whānau.
Dr Josh Agnew offered clinical reflections on the challenges of delivering equitable care to tamariki with congenital heart disease. He posed the confronting but necessary question—are we getting equity right?—while acknowledging the systemic barriers that persist.
One of the definite highlights for me was the strong equity and cultural lens woven throughout the conference, stated Korohina. “It was inspiring to see kaupapa Māori, Pacific Peoples and Aboriginal Torres Street Islander-led research being centred across sessions, and to be part of conversations that are clearly shifting the dial toward more inclusive approaches in cardiovascular health.”
The 2025 Early Career Researcher Heart Health Forum was timed to allow attendees to participate in the two-day CSANZ conference and Te Whare Tukutuku, both occurring in the same week.
Pono – Authenticity in Research at the 2025 Heart Health Forum
Supported by CSANZ and Pūtahi Manawa, The 2025 Heart Health Forum brought together forty-one heart health researchers from across Aotearoa New Zealand, fostering connections between diverse areas of expertise and worldviews.
The Forum was put together by a dedicated volunteer Organising Rōpū, chaired this year by Dr Andree Pearson. “Our committee feels strongly that education around diversity, inclusion and cultural safety is relevant and pertinent for all heart researchers in order to address the health inequities in Aotearoa New Zealand.”
The multi-disciplinary forum allows for real conversation for change. “We heard from one speaker, who is on the front line with patients, about a case which was particularly harrowing. This had an impact on everyone in the room”, explained Dr Pearson. “It sparked discussion on how well-targeted research could influence policy to prevent further similar outcomes.”
A central focus is addressing the persistent equity gap in heart health outcomes for Māori and Pacific Peoples. “This is an important issue that requires upskilling of all researchers to effect change”, stated, Chair of the 2025 Heart Health Organising Rōpū (group).
Experts in elevating Pacific family voices, Mary Roberts and Loata Tiapapa from Moana Connect, imparted real advice to the researchers and clinicians on engaging with Pacific communities. A poignant talk that ended with creative expression and cultural exchange, making ‘ei katu, a Cook Islands flower crown.
Proudly adorning their fresh 'ei katu, Māori and Pacific researchers made a beeline for the Linton Community Centre where the indigenous workforce initiative, Te Whare Tukutuku, was being held.