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Research - what we do

Te Whatu Ora | Te Toka Tumai Auckland is the largest clinical research facility in New Zealand, with over 1200 active research projects, and is recognised as an international clinical research site. Te Whatu Ora | Te Toka Tumai Auckland attracts funding for research from more than 100 sources, including public funds, private foundations and commercial sponsors worldwide.

At Te Whatu Ora | Te Toka Tumai Auckland we recognise the value of research for informing clinical practice and improving health outcomes, and we promote and adhere to the principles of ICH-GCP (Good Clinical Research Practice [PDF, 579 KB]) guidelines. Our human subject protection programme is accredited to receive US federal research funding.

These combined capabilities attract expert clinical staff and promote an academic approach based on the highest ethical standards and focused on applications that improve health outcomes.

Range of research activities

Research activities at Te Whatu Ora | Te Toka Tumai Auckland employ a range of methods to answer questions about health and healthcare delivery. These include epidemiological studies, clinical trials, outcomes research and operational studies.

Many research projects at Te Whatu Ora | Te Toka Tumai Auckland involve collaboration with university researchers both within New Zealand and around the world. We have a special relationship with the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences at the University of Auckland under the Auckland Academic Health Alliance.

Many of our investigators are world leaders in their field, performing studies that have contributed to the development of cancer drugs and emerging genetic treatments, the advancement of neuroscience, surgery, paediatrics, molecular medicine, epidemiology of stroke and cardiovascular disease and the understanding of hearing disorders, diabetes and preterm labour. Te Whatu Ora | Te Toka Tumai Auckland also hosts and supports student research at both the tertiary and specialist post-doctoral level from across all disciplines.

Our Research Office facilitates a close working relationship among researchers, clinical staff, ethics committees, funding bodies and commercial sponsors. It maintains a research database (REACH), with over 1400 current projects with a total registry of 9,000. It acts as the entry point for the approval of all research at Te Whatu Ora | Te Toka Tumai Auckland.

The Research Office website is a national resource providing information about funding, resources, courses and contacts.