About Us

Te Aka Mātauranga Matepukupuku was formed in 2022 by the University of Auckland which has a world-class reputation for research. We form the academic part of the Northern Region Integrated Cancer Service, alongside Te Pūriri o Te Ora (Northern Regional Cancer and Blood Service). We work with Te Aho o Te Kahu | Cancer Control Agency to build national cancer data sharing infrastructure.

Linking the work of more than 300 researchers will help create a unifying force to drive cancer science forward, making us unique with our:

  • breadth of expertise
  • ability to bridge research and clinical practice
  • wide-ranging partnerships with government health organisations, and with clinical, philanthropic, community and industry groups.

Many of us will die with cancer and some of us will die of cancer. The whole point of life-changing research in this area is to make the latter less common.

Dr Andrew Shelling

Director Strategy & Research, Te Aka Mātauranga Matepukupuku

Our Mission

 

Kei hopu tōu ringa ki te aka tāepa, engari kia mau ki te aka matua
Cling to the main vine, not the loose one

 

Our mission is to lead cancer research and treatment in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Our Vision

 

Mā te huruhuru ka rere te manu
Give the bird feathers so it may fly

 

Te Aka Mātauranga Matepukupuku will be a place of relevance both in New Zealand and globally.

Health Inequities

 

Cancer doesn’t discriminate, but inequities woven into our society result in inequitable outcomes, particularly for Māori.

We are aiming to change that.

We want to address issues of inequity in all areas of the cancer pathway from prevention strategies to diagnosis, treatment and outcomes.

Dr Peter Browett

Director Translational Research, Te Aka Mātauranga Matepukupuku

Māori don’t live seven years less than non-Māori because of some fluke of genetics. It’s because of how our society is set up. Equity is about remedying uneven outcomes in health and wellbeing that are avoidable and unjust.

Dr George Laking

Director Manutaki Haumanu Māori, Te Aka Mātauranga Matepukupuku

Recent research has shown that Māori are twice as likely to die from cancer as non-Māori. In fact, life expectancy is seven years shorter for Māori than for non-Māori. When it comes to cancer, Māori access services less, feel less comfortable in the environment, and tend to be diagnosed later, when the cancer is worse.

The Waitangi Tribunal Health Services and Outcomes Inquiry found that the health system as a whole is inequitable for Māori. “…the principles of participation, protection, and partnership that inform Māori approaches to health policy were ‘outdated and need to be reformed.'”