Lay summary
The purpose of this research activation grant is to support further engagement and participation of key Māori stakeholders and wāhine Māori and their whānau in the Te Kukunetanga: Developing Cycle of Life Research Programme, particularly the Physical Evolution Through Pregnancy (PEP) Project.
The PEP study aims to improve health outcomes for pregnant women and their babies by monitoring changes in body shape and size, walking gait and balance throughout pregnancy and in the six months after the birth.
The intent is to ensure that the data being collected via our tika (research design) are rich and relevant to ensure benefit for the wider Māori community. For this research programme to be effective to enable manaakitanga (cultural and social responsibility), the project needs to build a whakapapa (relationships) with Māori so they are fully invested in the project outcomes and there are pathways provided where Māori can understand and contribute to the research.