On this page
- College of Health contribution
- Increasing numbers of Māori and Pacific nursing students
- Dietetics students improving the lives of young people in the community
- Revolutionary smart robotic capsules for early detection of gastrointestinal diseases
- Research on mental health and wellbeing
- Factsheets published on a range of health issues
- Major Health Research Council funding to improve health outcomes
- Breakthrough discovery in Cryptosporidium research
- Book published on the impact of digital media on health
- Postdoctoral Fellowship for cancer drug research
- First Master of Clinical Practice graduation
- WellMates programme for first-year agricultural students
- Research published on alcohol and public policy
- Inaugural co-director of the Infectious Diseases Research Platform
- Women’s health research
- Related content
College of Health contribution
Massey University's College of Health's strong contribution to goal 3, had 3,042 students studying health-related qualifications in 2023. The college's top three qualifications in 2023 continue to be:
- Bachelor of Health Science, with 561 students enrolled in 2023 and more than 500 students enrolled each year for the last 10 years.
- Bachelor of Nursing, with 520 students enrolled in 2023 and more than 500 students enrolled each year for the last 10 years.
- Bachelor of Social Work, with 391 students enrolled in 2023 and more than 350 students enrolled each year for the last 10 years.
As expected, the proportion of students enrolled in College of Health qualifications increased during the COVID-19 pandemic to 12.1 per cent of all Massey students in 2021.
In 2022 and 2023, the proportion has been stable at 11.3 and 11.4 per cent of our students respectively who were enrolled in College of Health qualifications.
Increasing numbers of Māori and Pacific nursing students
The numbers of Māori and Pacific students enrolled in the university's Bachelor of Nursing have generally increased over the last three years:
- 49 Māori students were enrolled in 2020, 56 in 2021, 54 in 2022 and 47 in 2023. In 2023, 9.0 per cent of all Bachelor of Nursing students identified as Māori.
- 25 Pacific students were enrolled in 2020, 31 in 2021, 32 in 2022 and 38 in 2023. In 2022, 7.3 per cent of all Bachelor of Nursing students identified as Pacific.
The proportion of nursing students who are Māori is still lower than the equivalent proportion (14.8 per cent) of the New Zealand population. The proportion of nursing students who are Pacific is the same as the New Zealand population (7.2 per cent). (Statistics NZ 2023 population estimates, 18 years and over).
Dietetics students improving the lives of young people in the community
Each year, Massey's dietetic and nutrition students teach hundreds of Year 10 students how to make healthy, tasty and affordable meals together through community outreach nutrition programmes. These include the Nestlé Cook for Life programme run at several South Auckland schools, including Alfriston College, James Cook High, Otahuhu College and Manurewa High.
Massey's dietetic students enjoy thinking up creative ways to convey healthy eating messages and help impart practical skills for life.
After having fun learning about nutrition and cooking a nutritious, affordable and healthy meal together, the high school students take home recipes and cooking skills to share with their wider families and community.
Revolutionary smart robotic capsules for early detection of gastrointestinal diseases
Massey's researchers are developing a revolutionary smart robotic capsule that is swallowed and collects images and samples from the gut. This technology will advance the management of gastrointestinal diseases by enabling early and accurate diagnosis. The interdisciplinary work was recently awarded $1 million from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s (MBIE’s) Endeavour Fund.
Research on mental health and wellbeing
A wealth of research on mental health and wellbeing undertaken by Massey academics and students in 2022 and 2023 included:
- a Conversations that Count – Ngā Kōrero Whai Take episode on workplace wellbeing
- doctorate-level research exploring the Māori whānau experience of suicide loss
- the publication of a book, Mental Health Among Higher Education Faculty, Administrators and Graduate Students
- investigations into the impacts of the pandemic lockdowns on mental health.
- Research seeking to understand the psychological interconnection of wairua and healing
Furthermore, Massey’s Mental Health and Addiction teaching team received an international Teaching Excellence Award from the Council of Academic Public Health Institutions Australasia. The innovative programme was co-created with Māori and promotes health equity.
Factsheets published on a range of health issues
Factsheets on various health issues were published in 2022 by Environmental Health Intelligence New Zealand, based in the university's College of Health. The topics included:
- melanoma rates
- the prevalence of asthma in children
- lead adsorption
- the number of interceptions of high-risk insects at Aotearoa New Zealand borders.
Major Health Research Council funding to improve health outcomes
Health Research Council funding of $4.5 million was received in 2023. This included major funding for projects on “Smart Start” outpatient healthcare letters to improve patient experiences and outcomes, and a health-focused cost-benefit analysis of cannabis policy reforms.
Breakthrough discovery in Cryptosporidium research
Scientists from Massey University, AgResearch and science company Flowjoanna uncovered a signal indicating human cell infection with Cryptosporidium, the second most common cause of infant diarrhoea globally. This discovery will aid global anti-parasite research efforts.
Book published on the impact of digital media on health
Professor Sarah Riley co-authored “Digital Feeling”, which was published in 2023. It was the third in a series of books on the impacts that women’s engagement with digital media have on their health.
Postdoctoral Fellowship for cancer drug research
Dr Harikrishnan Kurup received a Postdoctoral Fellowship from the Cancer Society of New Zealand to develop new cancer drugs aimed at overcoming drug resistance and enhancing the effectiveness of existing treatments.
First Master of Clinical Practice graduation
Massey's proud to celebrate the first cohort of students graduating with the Master of Clinical Practice (Nursing) in 2022. The qualification provides an alternative route to becoming a registered nurse for people with a degree already.
The numbers of students in this programme are continuing to grow each year with almost 70 students enrolled in 2024.
WellMates programme for first-year agricultural students
First-year students enrolled in agriculture courses at Lincoln University and Massey will have access to the WellMates programme, where they will learn skills for staying mentally well and strategies for returning to positive well-being after challenging times.
Research published on alcohol and public policy
Recent research published by the university's SHORE & Whāriki Research Centre focused on alcohol and public policy, including systemic problems with the alcohol licensing process.
Inaugural co-director of the Infectious Diseases Research Platform
Distinguished Professor Nigel French was appointed the inaugural co-director of the Infectious Diseases Research Platform, established by the New Zealand Government with $36 million of funding. The platform aims to boost Aotearoa New Zealand’s COVID-19 response and prepare for future disease outbreaks.
Women’s health research
Several Massey research projects are focusing on enhancing women’s health, including:
- investigating the links between menstrual cycle status and iron deficiency diagnosis
- researching the impacts of menstruation and perimenopause tracking apps for atypical users
- research on menopause.
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