Poipoia te kākano kia puāwai – nurture the seed and it will bloom
Whau Foundation helps to address gaps in knowledge and service delivery by funding innovative research. Our work focuses on evidence-based practices and developing effective interventions.
We’ve funded over 180 research projects across Aotearoa, driving advancements in understanding and addressing mental health challenges faced by New Zealanders.
We prioritise finding out what actually works in mental health care, ensuring that our initiatives are grounded in research and real-world outcomes.
Here you can explore research projects supported by Whau Mental Health Research Foundation across our 57 years of operating:
Featured Success Stories
2023
The Gauging Risk and Resilience in Teenagers (GRIT) Study
Researcher(s)
Dr Samantha Lee
2021
Text based support following a suicide attempt
Researcher(s)
Dr Lillian Ng
2020
Understanding the relationship between alcohol and suicide in New Zealand
Researcher(s)
Dr Rose Crossin
2020
Acceptability to Māori of an online platform and interactive chatbot to support mental health wellbeing
Researcher(s)
Dr Amy Hai Yan Chan
2017
Rainbow Experiences of Accessing Mental Health Support
Researcher(s)
Gloria Fraser
2017
13 Reasons Why: Dangerous sensationalism or opening up the suicide conversation? Examining young people’s perspectives of the Netflix Series 13 Reasons Why.
Researcher(s)
Sarah McKenzie
2016
Help now for self-harm: development of an app for young people.
Researcher(s)
Dr Karolina Stasiak
2012
A prospective, observational study of the natural history of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type-1 (CRPS1)
Researcher(s)
Debbie Bean
2015
A rapid non drug treatment for anxiety – the rapid symptom shifting therapy
Researcher(s)
Professor Bruce Arroll
2015
Autism and psychiatric conditions: what’s the genetic overlap in our New Zealand Youth
Researcher(s)
Dr Jessie Jacobsen
2014
Intervention for children aged 11-13 years, designed to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression and improve self-esteem and participation
Researcher(s)
Ema Tokolahi
2010
Effect of methamphetamine (“P”) addiction neural structure and function, and the potential methylphenidate in treatment.
Researcher(s)
Dr Bruce Russell
2009
Māori Adaption of a brief intervention for common mental health syndromes in primary care
Researcher(s)
Ms Fiona Mathieson
1996
Studying the patterns of brain proteins in parts of the normal human brain compared with the proteins expressed in equivalent brain regions of patients with schizophrenia.
Researcher(s)
Dr Cooper, Dr Kydd and Dr Faull
Other Success Stories
1995
The perceptions of responsibility and accountability in the “reformed” health system.
Researcher(s)
Dr Sunny Collings
1995
Investigating and developing a programme for the treatment of patients with chronic psychotic symptoms
Researcher(s)
Dr Trish Van Kralingen
1995
Intracellular energy defects in Tardive Dyskinesia
Researcher(s)
Dr Lee, Dr Coverdale and Dr Kydd
1994
Studying “high risk” forensic patients
Researcher(s)
Emma Sutich
1994
Investigating the establishment of a pilot consultation – liaison psychiatry service to general practitioners
Researcher(s)
C.J. Bensemann
1994
The study of Intra-cellular Energy Deficits as a Predisposing Factor for the Development of Tardive Dyskinesia.
Researcher(s)
Dr Coverdale, Dr Lees and Dr Kydd
1993
A detailed molecular genetic analysis of Huntington’s diseased tissues
Researcher(s)
D.R. Love & R.L.M. Faull
1992
Autoregressive analysis of the Electroencephalogram and Auditory Evoked Potential in Schizophrenia and other Psychotic Disorders
Researcher(s)
Dr Kydd, Dr Liley and Dr Wright
1991
Who Cares for the Carers
Researcher(s)
Helen Warren
1991
A computer-assisted data collection and storage system for North Shore Hospital,
Researcher(s)
Pam Melding
1991
A study into the area of emotional abuse
Researcher(s)
Healther McDowell
1991
Institutional and Community Care of the Intellectually Handicapped
Researcher(s)
Janett Levien
1990
Long-term study of all patients referred to the Regional Forensic Service
Researcher(s)
Forensic Service
1990
Early Onsetting Psychiatric Disorders
Researcher(s)
Professor J. Werry
1989
Examining the effectiveness of the programmes run by Framework and reviewing current practises, orientations and programmes
Researcher(s)
Framework Trust
1989
“Framework Trust Accommodation Directory”
Researcher(s)
Framework Trust
1989
Relationship between Housing Problems and Mental Health in two New Zealand Cities (Auckland and Christchurch)
Researcher(s)
The Mental Health Foundation
1988
Crisis Intervention Team to service West Auckland
Researcher(s)
Extended Hours Team, Carrington Hospital
1988
Evaluating the service provided by an Extended Hours Team
Researcher(s)
Dr M.D. Patton
1988
Examining the relationships of three factors viz. symptom profiles, personality factors and coping methods, to “good” and “poor” outcome in schizophrenic illness
Researcher(s)
Porirua Hospital
1988
Evaluating the soon to be established Kingseat Hospital Advocacy Service
Researcher(s)
The Mental Health Foundation
1986
“The experiences and needs of psychiatric patients”
Researcher(s)
Ms Mary O’Hagan
1986
Aspects of psychoneuro-encocrinology of epilepsy
Researcher(s)
Dr Heinz Albrecht
