Congratulations to the 2025/26 Pūtahi Manawa Summer Research Award recipients
We are proud to announce the recipients of the Pūtāhi Manawa Summer Research Scholarships for 2025/26. The two programmes, Kura Raumati - Māori Summer Research Programme and Fatu Malosi - Pacific Summer Research Programme, support tertiary-level students in undertaking research projects that contribute to the advancement and development of Māori, Pacific Peoples, and women's heart health.
We also extend a warm welcome back to our returning students who had a taste of research last summer and are back for more this year. We are pleased to continue with you on your research journey.
The successful applicants will be working on a diverse range of research topics under the guidance of experienced supervisors.
Kura Raumati Māori summer research programme 2025/26 successful applicants
Angel Hillman (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Heretaunga, Ngāi Tūhoe, Tuwharetoa) Bachelor of Science majoring in Physiology (3rd Year), University of Auckland.
Project title: He Ngākau Hou. Supervised by Anita Rangitutea (Te Puna Hauora o te Raki Paewhenua)
Georgia Pringle (Ngāi Tahu) Bachelor of Dental Surgery, University of Otago.
Project title: Hauora Manawa mō ngā Kaumātua me ngā Whānau. Supervised by Dr Andree Pearson & Dr Christina McKerchar (Christchurch Heart Institute, UoO)
Harata-Pano Flavell-Huaki (Te Whānau A Apanui, Ngāti Porou, Ngāi Tūhoe, Te Whakatōhea)
Bachelor of Arts, Majoring in Criminology and a minor in Māori Studies, University of Auckland.
Project title: From Fatass to Badass: How online wāhine-led fitness programmes can support heart health in a rural community. Supervised by Mariana Hudson (Manawaora), Violet Williams & Courtney Papuni (Squad Nation)
Clive Hook-Pomare (Ngati Kahungunu, Ngati Hine, Ngati Hinepua, Ngai Te Ipu) Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, University of Auckland.
Project title: Improved ways to measure Cardiovascular Function. Supervised by Professor Andrew Lowe & Yung Yu (AUT)
Nina Turner (Te Aupōuri, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Ruamahue) Bachelor of Biomedical Science majoring in Functional Human Biology, University of Otago.
Project title: Prioritising Māori and Pacific-Specific miRNA Variants & Investigating miR499 in the Heart. Supervised by Dr Megan Leask & Professor Rajesh Katare (UoO)
Arihia Waitai-Morehu (Ngāti Tamaterā, Ngāti Whātua ki Ōrākei, Ngāti Whātua ki Kaipara) Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (2nd Year), University of Auckland.
Project title: Ngā Manawa o te Iwi: Cultural Narratives of the Heart in Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei. Supervised by Rowena Dunn (Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei) & Erina Korohina.
Dezaia Walker (Ngati Kahu, Waikato, Ngati Kahungunu, Ngai Tai) Bachelor of Health Science, University of Otago. Pūhoro STEMM.
Project Title: Investigating Novel Therapies for Diabetic Heart Disease. Supervised by Associate Professor Kim Mellor (UoA)
Kaiah Arona (Ngati Tuwharetoa, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Heretaunga, Te Arawa) Bachelor of Health Science, University of Otago. Pūhoro STEMM.
Project Title: Mapping Pacific Food Security Policies and Strategies: A Desktop Scan to Inform Heart Health Equity. Supervised by Dr. Fa'asisila Savila (UoA).
Returning Tauira
Thaya Shaw (Waikato Tainui, Ngāti Kahungungu ki te Wairoa, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Rongomawahine, Rongowhakaata) Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences majoring in Functional Human Biology, University of Otago.
Project title: Local Therapies and Cardiovascular Health in the Asia-Pacific. Supervised by Dr Anna Rolleston (Manawaora)
Jaime Rose Anderson (Ngāti Ranginui) Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (3rd Year), University of Otago.
Project title: Kai and Hauora: Learning from our Tīpuna, Growing Well Today. Supervised by Assoc Prof Andrew Reynolds & Takiwai Russell Camp (UoO) & Erina Korohina
Oaklea Bowden-Morris (Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki) Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Physiology, University of Otago.
Project title: A Love Letter from the Pharmacist. Supervised by Tyler Grey (Ngāti Porou Oranga) & Mariana Hudson (Manawa Ora)
Jacob Dorset (Ngāti Whakaue, Taranaki Iwi, Te Atiawa) Bachelor of Science, Major: Sports and Exercise Science, University of Otago
Project title: Kete of Knowledge. Supervised by Prof Jo Montgomery (UoA) & Erina Korohina (Manawaora)
Holly Kewene (Tainui, Ngāi Rangiwewehi) Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, University of Auckland. Pūhoro STEMM
Project Title: Documenting a Co-Design Process: Comic Strip Resources for Māori Heart Health. Supervised by Erina Korohina (Manawaora)
Neave Burgess (Te Atiawa, Ngaruahine, Taranaki) Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, University of Auckland. Pūhoro STEMM.
Project Title: Tokoroa Access to Cardiology Study. Supervised by Liam Gilheany- Black (Waikato DHB)
Shane Ormond (Rongomaiwahine) Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, University of Auckland. Pūhoro STEMM.
Project Title: Mechanical Hearts: Literature Review and Indigenous Perspectives. Supervised by Associate Prof Rohit Ramchandra, Prof Julian Paton, Daniel McCormick (UoA)
Fatu Malosi Pacific summer research programme 2025/26 successful applicants
Annette Asopesio Fotu (Tonga), PG Dip Health Science, University of Auckland.
Project Title: Pacific-wide data and surveillance for rheumatic fever, rheumatic heart disease, invasive Group A streptococcus (iGAS), and poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis (PSGN): a stocktake and summary of Ministry of Health responsibilities. Supervised by Mary Silcock, Alfred Soakai (Ministry of Health).
Eleanor Lafaitele (Samoa), Bachelor of Science (Physiology), University of Auckland.
Project Title: Let's not be sympathetic to blood pressure and diabetes. Supervised by Fiona McBryde & Julian Paton (UoA)
Honora Lynch (Tonga), University of Otago.
Project Title: Can loss of a 'hunger' hormone increase CVD in Pacific peoples? Supervised by Ana Sayegh & James Fisher (UoA)
Jayda Matara (Cook Islands, Samoa), Medicine, University of Otago.
Project Title: Trends and Outcomes of valvular heart disease in Pregnancy, Counties Manukau 2014 – 2024. Supervised by May Soh, Kara Okesene-Gafa (UoA)
Jeziah Stevens (Samoa), Bachelor of Health Science, University of Auckland.
Project Title: Mechanical Hearts (Literature Review). Supervised by Rohit Ramchandra, Daniel McCormick, and Julian Paton (UoA)
Jonine Tiakia (Niue, Māori), Dentistry, University of Otago.
Project Title: A scoping review of the link between oral health and cardiovascular disease in Pacific Populations. Supervised by Vili Nosa and Nalei Taufa (UoA)
Larafina Stowers (Samoa, Tokelau), Bachelor of Health Science, University of Auckland.
Project Title: Pacemaker Access, Use and Management for Pacific peoples: A Scoping Review. Supervised by Vili Nosa and Julie Winter-Smith (UoA)
Lauryn Ah Mu (Samoa, Tonga), Bachelor of Health Science, University of Auckland.
Project Title: Lived experience support initiatives for Indigenous people with RHD/ARF - A scoping review. Supervised by Monleigh and Ainsleigh Cribb-Su'a (National Hauora Coalition)
Layla Thomas (Tonga, Samoa), Medicine, University of Auckland.
Project Title: From Gener-AI-tion to Generations. Supervised by Aniva Lawrence and Allamanda Fa'atoese (UoA)
Leilani Kwan-Him (Samoa), Bachelor of Science (Neuroscience), University of Otago.
Project Title: Exploring the links between blood pressure, body composition and full blood counts in Māori and Pacific participants. Supervised by Chris Puliuvea (AUT)
Lisi-Malia Pereira (Samoa, Cook Islands Māori), Bachelor of Commerce (Hons), University of Auckland.
Project Title: Strengthening Hypertension Management in Samoa: A Scoping Review of Health System Readiness. Supervised by Fa'asisila Savila (UOA)
Lucy Keung (Cook Islands, Tahiti, Māori), Medicine, University of Otago.
Project Title: From Gener-AI-tion to Generations. Supervised by Aniva Lawrence and Allamanda Fa'atoese (UoA)
Pooja Rattu (Tonga), Paramedicine, Auckland University of Technology.
Project Title: GoodSam Responder Attendance by Ethnicity. Supervised by A/Prof Bridget Dicker (AUT)
Punipuao Mariner (Samoa), PG Dip Health Science, University of Auckland.
Project Title: The role of social media for dissemination of rheumatic fever awareness in Pacific communities. Supervised by Siobhan Tu'akoi (UoA)
Seita Meneua (Tuvalu), PG Dip Health Science, University of Auckland.
Project Title: How CVD is portrayed in educational resource images. Supervised by Samuela 'Ofanoa (UoA)
Silvia Pritchard (Samoa), Bachelor of Nursing, Otago Polytechnic.
Project Title: TBC. Supervised by Tua Su'a (Pūtahi Manawa)
Te Ropere Tipene (Fiji, Māori), Medicine, University of Otago.
Project Title: Healing in Two Worlds: The Role of Indigenous Beliefs, Christian Faith, and Biomedical Science in the Recovery of Pacific Children Post-Heart Surgery. Supervised by Jekope Maiono (UoO)
Vaaiga Purcell (Samoa), Medicine, University of Auckland.
Project Title: Sore Throat Swabbing Rheumatic Fever Prevention for Māori and Pasifika whānau in South Auckland (Māngere). Supervised by Monica Liva, Susan Fuiavailili (Turuki Healthcare)
Valerie Cokanasiga (Fiji), PG Dip Health Science, University of Auckland.
Project Title: Improved ways to measure cardiovascular function. Supervised by Andrew Lowe (AUT)
Returning Students
Tebi Tabokaai (i-kiribati), Bachelor of Population Health, University of Waikato.
Project Title: TBC scoping review. Supervised by Monleigh and Ainsleigh Cribb-Su'a (National Hauora Coalition)
Te Paea Ma'u (Kolomotu’a, Tongatapu; Vaimalō and Masilamea, Vava’u, Tonga and Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Apakura and Te Aitanga-ā-Māhaki), Bachelor of Science (Biomedical Science), University of Auckland.
Project Title: Wāhine Experiences of Atrial Fibrillation. Supervised by Jo Montgomery (UoA)
Mele Manako (Longolongo (Tt), Tava Tuʻu Tolu (Tt), Kolomotuʻa (Tt), Leimatuʻa (Vv), Taoa (Vv), and Masilamea-Neiafu (Vv)), PG Dip Health Science, University of Auckland.
Project Title: Codesigning Artificial Intelligence-Enhanced Support for Pacific Peoples with Heart Failure. Supervised by Sandra Hanchard, Claris Chung, Vanessa Selak (UoA)
Jesse Winter (Tonga, Fiji), Occupational Therapy, Auckland University of Technology.
Project Title: TBC. Supervised by Renee Fitisemanu & Dr Jenni Mace (AUT)
Jaxson Murphy-Winterstein (Samoa, Māori), Bachelor of Science (Biomedical science) (Hons), University of Otago.
Project Title: Characterising a Novel Arrhythmia-associated Cardiac Ryanodine REceptor (RyR2) Variant using a New Assay. Supervised by Pete Jones (UoO)
Carmel Ah Chong (Samoa), Medicine, University of Otago.
Project Title: TBC. Supervised by Kara Okesene-Gafa, Charlotte Oyston (UoA)