NZ Listener features MWC research
10 July 2019
A recent issue of the NZ Listener has featured extensive coverage of the Maurice Wilkins Centre's diabetes and metabolic disease research in New Zealand.
Auckland Girls’ Grammar students Vivian Falefoou (left) and Lu’isa Ma’asi. Photo: Rebekah Robinson/Listener
The feature article 'Hitting the sweet spot' appeared in the print version of the NZ Listener, on 29 June 2019, and was subsequently published online in two parts entitled 'Busting the fat myths: How new research will revolutionise Māori and Pacific health' and 'The students learning how diet choices affect their microbiome', on 4 July 2019.
Written by leading Kiwi journalist Donna Chisholm, the articles cover our genetics in diabetes research programme, investigating the extent to which certain individuals and populations, in particular Māori and Pacific people, may be at greater risk of developing metabolic disorders than others.
They also provide an excellent insight into the great work the Maurice Wilkins Centre is doing in schools, with our 'Sugar in Schools study' getting a lot of focus, and some great images taken during our visit to Auckland Girls' Grammar (see feature images above and below).
Photo: Rebekah Robinson/Listener
The articles also touch on our research collaborations and community engagement efforts in the regions – with The MOKO Foundation in the Far North, and Ngāti Porou Hauora on the East Coast.
Several Maurice Wilkins Centre investigators are interviewed including Rinki Murphy, Tony Merriman, Anezka Hoskin, Lisa Matisoo-Smith, and Peter Shepherd.
Professor Peter Shepherd, Deputy Director of the Maurice Wilkins Centre, was delighted to see key findings from our metabolic disease research getting picked up by the Listener.
"We're proud to be part of work covered in this week's Listener," Peter said.