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Health research council of new zealand.

Te Kaunihera Rangahau Hauora o Aotearoa

• give grants funding to health researchers
• run health ethics committees
• give awards and fellowships.

Hon Dr Shane Reti

Minister of Health

Hon Casey Costello

Associate Minister of Health

Hon Matt Doocey

Professor Sunny Collings

Chief Executive

Professor Lester Levy

Chairperson

Utility links and page information

Last updated 29 July 2020

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Date printed 30 August 2024

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Refreshed health research to drive better outcomes

Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says updated guidance provided to the Health Research Council (HRC) means future projects will have an increased focus on Government priorities and improved health for New Zealanders when being considered for funding.

The refreshed guidance for applicants is included in the two HRC funding opportunities now open to applicants, Programme Grants and Emerging Researcher First Grants.

“The Health Research Council plays a vitally important role in supporting our health system and science sector – last year allocating just over $111 million in Government funding for research,” Dr Reti says.

“I support the Council in enabling this important research, and am pleased that it is now encouraging applicants to be more closely aligned with the priorities of our Government Policy Statement on Health.

“What that means is a sharper focus on real-world projects leading to  improved health and/or health system outcomes, such as improving timely access to quality healthcare for New Zealanders.

“That means also looking forward to well-informed evidence-based work around:

• High health need
• Health system goals, such as research contributing to achieving the health and mental health and addiction targets
• Collaborative approaches to achieving health gains and delivering maximum value 
• Strengthening of New Zealand’s health research workforce 

“The enthusiasm and expertise of HRC-funded researchers is clear. Just recently, I’ve been particularly impressed by an HRC-funded study led by two oncologists at Auckland City Hospital. They will test a model for running clinical trials to help New Zealand cancer patients access those trials no matter where they live.

“That’s research which could ultimately benefit many thousands of New Zealanders and their families living with cancer.

“Every health dollar is precious, so we want research to deliver outcomes that will make a real difference in the lives of New Zealanders.

“Many more exciting opportunities lie ahead for consideration by the Health Research Council as researchers apply for the two rounds currently underway.

“I look forward to hearing more of the HRC’s good work, and also from its successful applicants,” says Dr Reti.

• Funding based on financial year 1 July 2023 – 30 June 2024
• More information is available here: 
• www.hrc.govt.nz
• www.hrc.govt.nz/grants-funding/funding-opportunities

Investigating important public health problems. Delivering high quality evidence.

Mrinz impact.

Current Research Themes

Collaborating Countries

Years of World Leading Research

NZ Collaborating Pharmacy Research Network Sites

NZ Collaborating Practice Sites

Research Publications

Leaders in Research

The MRINZ is a globally acclaimed leader in medical research. Our dedication to challenging dogma, expanding knowledge, and enhancing clinical practice drives us to publish an average of 75 peer-reviewed studies each year. With a focus on impact and leveraging our capabilities, we are committed to improving health outcomes, reducing inequities, and enhancing lives. Our rigorous research and high-quality evidence help set the standard for public health advancements and clinical practice improvements in Aotearoa New Zealand and globally.

Education and Training

At MRINZ, we provide practical clinical research experience and training that can complement or constitute higher education studies, including PhDs, Masters, and Diplomas. Our partnerships with Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, University of Otago, Western Sydney University, Imperial College London, Montpellier University, and the University of Groningen make this possible. By studying with us, you'll receive exceptional mentorship and engage in leading medical research aimed at improving health outcomes and reducing inequities locally and globally.

MRINZ has become a world-leading independent clinical research organisation with independently verified research outputs greatly in excess of other New Zealand universities and competitive with the world’s leading universities. MRINZ's contributions are extraordinary and constitute a remarkable body of work from a single organisation.

Professor Ian Pavord University of Oxford

Support Through Participation

Without our valued study participants, our research wouldn't be possible. Whether you're driven by a passion for advancing medical science, a connection to future generations, or a desire to learn more about your own health, you can make a profound impact. Together, we can come together to work to improve health outcomes, reduce inequities, and enhance lives for generations to come.

Independence and Impartiality

The MRINZ operates as an autonomous research institute and is a registered charity ( ID—CC22439 ) . This independence empowers us to conduct research without external pressures or influences, safeguarding the integrity and objectivity of our work.

Commitment to Equity and Te Tiriti o Waitangi

The MRINZ is dedicated to fostering equity, honouring Te Ao Māori, and upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We actively support tangata whenua-led initiatives, ensuring that Māori perspectives and values play a pivotal role in shaping our research endeavours.

Transformation and Implementation

The MRINZ is motivated by the opportunity to enhance and revolutionise clinical practice. Our research has played a key role in advancing progress across diverse medical fields and influenced many treatment guidelines, positively impacting patient care at home and worldwide.

• Callaghan Innovation

Health Research Council

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The Health Research Council of New Zealand (HRC) is responsible for managing the New Zealand Government’s investment in health research.

About the Health Research Council

The Health Research Council's (HRC's) mission is ‘benefiting New Zealand through health research’, with a vision of improved health and quality of life for all.

The HRC invests in a broad range of health research on issues of importance to New Zealand. It also supports the development of research careers so that New Zealand can have a well-trained workforce in the future.

The HRC also contributes to maintaining an ethical and safe health research environment. Its committees:

• provide advice on gene technology
• accredit health and disability ethics committees and institutional ethics committees
• monitor the safety of large clinical trials and
• review applications to use new medicines in trials.

The HRC was established under the Health Research Council Act 1990 and is responsible to the Minister of Health. Its major funding agreement is through the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

Budget funding

In Budget 2016, the Government announced it would invest an extra $97 million over 4 years in health research. This brings the total funding available through this mechanism for the HRC to $87.2 million in 2016/17, rising to $120.2 million per annum in 2019/20.

HRC also receives some funding from us through the Vision Mātauranga Capability Fund and the Catalyst Fund.

Visit the HRC website for more information about funded research (external link) .

Crown copyright © 2024

https://www.mbie.govt.nz/science-and-technology/science-and-innovation/funding-information-and-opportunities/funding-agencies/health-research-council Please note: This content will change over time and can go out of date.

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Health and independence report 2023.

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Maximum Contribution Applying in Each Territorial Local Authority Region from 1 September 2024

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Registrar (assisted dying) Annual Report – June 2024

The Registrar (assisted dying) Annual Report to the Minister of Health covers the period from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024.

Aotearoa New Zealand Rare Disorders Strategy: Context and evidence

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Aotearoa New Zealand Rare Disorders Strategy: Rare voices and aspirations

This supporting document to the Aotearoa New Zealand Rare Disorders Strategy outlines how we achieved the Strategy with support from a broad range of expertise across the health and other sectors.

Aotearoa New Zealand Rare Disorders Strategy

The Aotearoa New Zealand Rare Disorders Strategy sets out the direction for the health system to better support people and their whānau living with rare disorders. It provides a framework and long-term priorities that will guide health entities in improving health and wellbeing outcomes for people and their whānau with rare disorders over the decade of 2024 to 2034.

Revised Code of Practice for Radiation Therapy: ORS C3

Following section 90(a) of the Radiation Safety Act (the Act) 2016 the Director for Radiation Safety (the Director) is reviewing codes of practice. Codes of practice have been issued under section 86(1) of the Act. Following a review, the Director has made amendments and revocations to Code of Practice for Radiation Therapy: ORS C3 (C3). Under section 89(2) the Director is consulting with persons likely to be affected by a proposed amendment or revocation to C3.

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New Zealand Pandemic Plan: A framework for action

This publication updates the New Zealand Influenza Pandemic Plan: A framework for action 2017 to reflect the health system reforms of 2022. It also incorporates some of the lessons identified during the COVID-19 pandemic response.

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Measuring public health behaviours and intentions

This publication showcases the findings from quantitative research conducted to better understand the drivers of public health behaviours and attitudes during the COVID-19 pandemic and how they have changed over time.

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Evidence synthesis of the research on Suicide Prevention and Postvention; Aotearoa New Zealand and International Perspectives

This publication summarises the most up-to-date and relevant local and international evidence on suicide prevention and postvention. It highlights what the most impactful interventions are for the New Zealand context and where the gaps in the research are.

The New Zealand Illicit Drug Harm Index 2023: Research Report

The 2023 Illicit Drug Harm Index (DHI 2023) provides a comprehensive evaluation of the costs of harmful illicit drug use, updated from the 2020 Illicit Drug Harm Index.

Government Policy Statement on Health 2024–2027

The Government Policy Statement on Health 2024-27 is the public statement of what Government expects the health system to deliver and achieve, and how success will be measured, monitored, and reported.

Hauora Haumi Allied Health Report 2024

This report is the first of its kind to collate information about allied health professions in Aotearoa New Zealand and their impact on the health and wellbeing of our population

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HIV Monitoring Plan: Measuring progress against the National HIV Action Plan for Aotearoa New Zealand 2023-2030

The HIV Monitoring Plan is a framework to support and measure progress towards achieving the goals and targets of the National HIV Action Plan for Aotearoa New Zealand 2023-2030.

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