Lay summary
The prevalence of neuro-developmental conditions is rising, particularly for Māori, who face a higher risk of complications, multiple morbidities, and premature death. Research trends observe this risk is significant in populations from high deprivation areas. For example, in NZ, children in high deprivation areas are seven times more likely to be diagnosed with mate mauri rere (ADHD) when compared to children in low deprivation areas. The Tairāwhiti DHB has more deprivation than any other district in NZ, with two-thirds of the population (65%) living in deciles 8-10. This trend is further exacerbated when split by ethnicity, with 77% of Māori in Tairāwhiti living within deciles 8-10 and 78% of Māori children under 10 living in deciles 8-10. This project attempts to facilitate responsiveness from Māori living in these high deprivation areas by establishing a research office in Uawa. Through this office, Maori engagement in research involving ADHD can be facilitated.