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Setting national research priorities

The Health Research Council (HRC) has a leading role in implementing New Zealand's first unified set of health research priorities.

The New Zealand Health Research Prioritisation Framework document cover

Together with the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE), we are bringing the vision of the New Zealand Health Research Strategy (2017-2027) to life. After wide consultation with New Zealanders, we are now delighted to present the New Zealand Health Research Prioritisation Framework which will drive New Zealand's health research investment decisions from now until 2027.

This framework is key to ensuring that research efforts across the country are aligned and designed to address areas of highest need. It prioritises how and why health research needs to be done in New Zealand in order to drive high-level health and social outcomes, and ensure maximum impact from the government’s investment in health.  

Under the new framework, researchers applying for government funding will need to:

  • Address why their research is important to New Zealand
  • Consider mana tāngata and advancing Māori health
  • Meet the criteria of excellence
  • Ensure their research has the best chance of delivering impact
  • Include measures to improve health equity.

Implementing the NZHRS and the Prioritisation Framework is the joint responsibility of MBIE, the Ministry of Health and the HRC. Further engagement with research funders and providers will take place in the new year. In the meantime, you can find both English and Te Reo Māori versions of the framework here in the HRC's Resource Library.

For background on how we came to this model, and who and what was involved, check out our blog below which began in 2018 and has continued to be updated as the consultation process progressed. 

 

Prioritisation background - consultation process

  • Setting New Zealand's Health Research Priorities - Further Update

    Issue date:

    Researchers and the wider public will soon have a chance to comment on the priority research characteristics that will drive health research investment in New Zealand.

    The Development Group overseeing the prioritisation process met at the end of January to continue refining a prioritisation vehicle that will develop the best health research system for New Zealand, and create enduring change for the life of the New Zealand Health Research Strategy (2017-2027) and beyond.
     
    The Development Group is now in the process of drafting the documentation for the final round of consultation, which is due to commence in March. This will lead to the final prioritisation model and health research priority actions being established in mid-2019.
     
    The results of the previous consultation in September 2018 will be available on this web page shortly.

  • Dates And Venues For Consultation Meetings - 2018

    Issue date:

    As consultation into New Zealand's first set of health research priorities continues, meeting dates with people from Māori, Pacific and disabled communities have been set for Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. To register your interest in attending a meeting, please contact Dr Alexandra Boyle at aboyle@hrc.govt.nz - if the cost of travel to attend a meeting is a concern, please let us know.

    In Auckland, meetings are being held at the Quality Hotel, 10-20 Gladstone Rd, Parnell, on:

    • Thursday 4 October, 9am  – 11am with the Māori community 
    • Thursday 4 October, 11.30am - 1.30pm with the disabled community and disability sector (a Sign Language interpreter will be present)
    • Thursday 4 October, 2.30pm - 4.30pm with the Pacific community

    In Wellington at the Ministry of Health, 133 Molesworth Street, Thorndon, on:

    • Tuesday 9 October, 10am – 12pm with the disabled community and disability sector (a Sign Language interpreter will be present)
    • Tuesday 9 October, 2pm – 4pm with the Pacific community
    • A new meeting date with the Māori community is being arranged. Check back soon for details.

    In Christchurch at The Atrium, 455 Hagley Avenue, on:

    • Monday 1 October, 10am – 12pm with the disabled community and disability sector (a Sign Language interpreter will be present)
    • Monday 1 October, 2pm – 4pm with the Pacific community
    • Tuesday 2 October, 9am – 11am with the Māori community

    In Dunedin at Dunedin Community House, 301 Moray Place, on:

    • Monday 8 October, 2.30pm – 4.30pm with the Pacific community.
    • Tuesday 9 October, 9.30am – 11.30am with the disabled community and disability sector (a Sign Language interpreter will be present)

    ​A new meeting date with the Māori community is being arranged. Check back soon for details.
    Input is being sought on the draft Strategic Investment Areas that will form the overarching 'framework' for the health research priorities. Stakeholders are also being asked to suggest priorities that might sit within this framework.

    Online consultation remains open until 5pm on Friday, 12 October.

  • Setting NZ's Health Research Priorities - Consultation Now Open

    Issue date:

    Now is the time to have your say on New Zealand's first set of health research priorities.

    The Health Research Council of New Zealand (HRC), Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment invite your feedback on the Strategic Investment Areas (SIAs) - also known as the overarching 'framework' that the new research priorities will fit into. These draft SIAs have been developed by the independent Development Group that is overseeing the priority-setting process. 

    A statement from the Development Group, explaining their thinking, is included in the consultation document that provides all the information you need to frame your responses. It also provides a list of the consultation questions.

    Your feedback is being sought through an online survey which is open for six weeks from 4 September 2018 until 12 October 2018. You are being asked to consider the overall framework and to suggest health research priorities that might sit within it.

    Public meetings are also being planned with the Maori, Pacific and disabled communities in the following centres:

    • Christchurch on 1 and 2 October
    • Auckland on 4 October
    • Dunedin on 8 and 9 October
    • Wellington on 9 and 10 October

    This consultation will lead to final SIAs being established, and the drafting of a set of priorities which will be circulated for public feedback in 2019.

    Keep checking this page for more information. For further details or to register your interest in attending a public meeting, please contact Dr Alexandra Boyle at aboyle@hrc.govt.nz. If the cost of travel to attend a meeting is a concern, please let us know. 

  • Independent Development Group Begins Work On NZ's Health Research Priorities

    Issue date:

    The independent Development Group that is overseeing the process of setting New Zealand’s national health research priorities met in Auckland for the first time last week.
     
    The Group’s first task was to develop draft priorities for consultation. As well as drawing on their extensive and diverse expertise, the Group examined evidence on the health of New Zealanders, the current structure of the health research sector, New Zealand’s international standing in health research, and future trends and threats to health. An overview of the background evidence considered by the Development Group is available below.
     
    Members of the group will continue to work collaboratively over the coming weeks to refine their ideas before consultation begins in late August. Input will be sought from stakeholders across the health, science and innovation sectors, to help ensure the process of setting priorities is inclusive and serves the needs of New Zealand’s diverse population and communities.

  • Strategic Investment Area - Development Group

    Issue date:

    Some of New Zealand’s leading health researchers, innovators, advisors and health delivery experts have been brought together to help establish New Zealand’s first set of national health research priorities. 

    This independent ‘Development Group’ will assess the input from stakeholders across the health, science and innovation sectors, to help ensure the process of setting priorities is inclusive and serves the needs of New Zealand’s diverse population and communities.
     
    The Group’s members have been selected for their mana, knowledge, expertise in health services or research and different world views and experience, as well as their ability to think strategically for the benefit of all New Zealanders.
     
    The group comprises 13 people, representing a wide range of experience:

    • Fepulea'i Margie Apa
    • Professor Michael Baker
    • Emeritus Professor Richard Bedford
    • Dr Dale Bramley
    • Professor Vicky Cameron
    • Dr Kyle Eggleton
    • Dr James Hutchinson
    • Professor Margaret Hyland
    • Ms Rose Kahaki
    • Mr Philip Patston
    • Professor John Potter
    • Professor Stephen Robertson
    • Professor Linda Tuhiwai Smith

    To learn more about these members, have a look at the document attached.