On this page
- College of Health contribution
- Increasing proportions of Māori and Pacific nursing students
- Dietetics students improving the lives of young people in the community
- Revolutionary smart robotic capsules for early detection of gastrointestinal diseases
- Research on mental health and wellbeing
- Factsheets published on a range of health issues
- Major Health Research Council funding to improve health outcomes
- Breakthrough discovery in Cryptosporidium research
- Book published on the impact of digital media on health
- Postdoctoral Fellowship for cancer drug research
- First Master of Clinical Practice graduation
- WellMates programme for first-year agricultural students
- Research published on alcohol and public policy
- Inaugural co-director of the Infectious Diseases Research Platform
- Women’s health research
- Supporting healthy ageing through research
- Related content
College of Health contribution
Massey University's College of Health's strong contribution to goal 3, had 3,139 students studying health-related qualifications in 2024. The college's top 3 qualifications in 2024 continue to be:
- Bachelor of Health Science, with 548 students enrolled in 2024 and more than 500 students enrolled each year for the last 10 years.
- Bachelor of Nursing, with 448 students enrolled in 2024 and more than 400 students enrolled each year for the last 10 years.
- Bachelor of Social Work, with 355 students enrolled in 2024 and more than 350 students enrolled each year for the last 10 years.
After peaking at 12.1% during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, the proportion of students enrolled in College of Health qualifications at Massey University held steady at 11.3% in 2022 and 11.4% in 2023. In 2024, the proportion has risen again to 12.0%, continuing a strong and sustained interest in health-focused education.
Increasing proportions of Māori and Pacific nursing students
The proportion of Māori and Pacific Peoples students enrolled in the university's Bachelor of Nursing has increased over the last 2 years:
- Similar numbers of Māori students were enrolled in 2023 and 2024, with 47 and 46 students respectively. The percentage of Bachelor of Nursing students who identified as Māori increased from 9.0% in 2023 to 10.3% in 2024.
- Similar numbers of Pacific Peoples students were enrolled in 2023 and 2024, with 38 and 37 students respectively. The percentage of Bachelor of Nursing students identifying as Pacific has steadily increased over the past 5 years. This figure has more than doubled since 2019, reaching 7.3% in 2023 and rising again to 8.3% in 2024.
- The proportion of nursing students who are Māori is lower than the equivalent proportion of the New Zealand population (14.8%), however, the proportion of nursing students who are Pacific is higher than the New Zealand population (7.2%). (Statistics NZ 2023 census population estimates, 18 years and over).
Dietetics students improving the lives of young people in the community
Each year, Massey's dietetic and nutrition students teach hundreds of Year 10 students how to make healthy, tasty and affordable meals together through community outreach nutrition programmes. These include the Nestlé Cook for Life programme run at several South Auckland schools, including Alfriston College, James Cook High, Otahuhu College and Manurewa High.
Massey's dietetic students enjoy thinking up creative ways to convey healthy eating messages and help impart practical skills for life.
After having fun learning about nutrition and cooking a nutritious, affordable and healthy meal together, the high school students take home recipes and cooking skills to share with their wider families and community.
Revolutionary smart robotic capsules for early detection of gastrointestinal diseases
Massey's researchers are developing a revolutionary smart robotic capsule that is swallowed and collects images and samples from the gut. This technology will advance the management of gastrointestinal diseases by enabling early and accurate diagnosis. The interdisciplinary work was recently awarded $1 million from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s (MBIE’s) Endeavour Fund.
Research on mental health and wellbeing
Between 2022 and 2024, Massey academics and students conducted a wide range of research focused on mental health and wellbeing across different communities and contexts. Highlights include:
- an episode of Conversations that Count – Ngā Kōrero Whai Take on workplace wellbeing
- doctoral research exploring the Māori whānau experience of suicide loss
- the publication of the book, Mental Health Among Higher Education Faculty, Administrators and Graduate Students
- studies on the mental health impacts of the pandemic lockdowns
- research into the psychological interconnection of wairua and healing
- investigations into wellbeing in later life via the Health, Work and Retirement longitudinal study.
Furthermore, Massey’s Mental Health and Addiction teaching team received an international Teaching Excellence Award from the Council of Academic Public Health Institutions Australasia in 2023. The innovative programme was co-created with Māori and promotes health equity.
Factsheets published on a range of health issues
Factsheets on various health issues were published in 2022 by Environmental Health Intelligence New Zealand, based in the university's College of Health. The topics included:
- melanoma rates
- the prevalence of asthma in children
- lead adsorption
- the number of interceptions of high-risk insects at Aotearoa New Zealand borders.
Major Health Research Council funding to improve health outcomes
Major Health Research Council funding to improve health outcomes
Health Research Council of New Zealand (HRC) funding of $4.5 million was received in 2023. This included major funding for projects on 'Smart Start' outpatient healthcare letters to improve patient experiences and outcomes, and a health-focused cost-benefit analysis of cannabis policy reforms.
Further HRC funding in 2024 focuses on initiative to improve equity and outcomes for Māori communities. Projects include integrating rongoā Māori with Western care to reduce health inequities and improve outcomes for Māori patients and whānau. Also included is using Kaupapa Māori approaches to reduce harmful substance use.
Breakthrough discovery in Cryptosporidium research
Breakthrough discovery in Cryptosporidium research
Scientists from Massey University, AgResearch and science company Flowjoanna uncovered a signal indicating human cell infection with Cryptosporidium, the second most common cause of infant diarrhoea globally. This discovery, published in 2023, will aid global anti-parasite research efforts.
Book published on the impact of digital media on health
Book published on the impact of digital media on health
Professor Sarah Riley co-authored 'Digital Feeling', which was published in 2023. It was the third in a series of books on the impacts that women’s engagement with digital media have on their health.
Postdoctoral Fellowship for cancer drug research
Postdoctoral Fellowship for cancer drug research
Dr Harikrishnan Kurup received a Postdoctoral Fellowship in 2023 from the Cancer Society of New Zealand to develop new cancer drugs aimed at overcoming drug resistance and enhancing the effectiveness of existing treatments.
First Master of Clinical Practice graduation
First Master of Clinical Practice graduation
Massey's proud to celebrate the first cohort of students graduating with the Master of Clinical Practice (Nursing) in 2022. The qualification provides an alternative route to becoming a registered nurse for people with a degree already.
The numbers of students in this programme are continuing to grow each year with almost 70 students enrolled in 2024.
WellMates programme for first-year agricultural students
WellMates programme for first-year agricultural students
First-year students enrolled in agriculture courses at Lincoln University and Massey will have access to the WellMates programme, where they will learn skills for staying mentally well and strategies for returning to positive well-being after challenging times.
Research published on alcohol and public policy
Research published on alcohol and public policy
Recent research published by the university's SHORE & Whāriki Research Centre focused on alcohol and public policy, including systemic problems with the alcohol licensing process.
Inaugural co-director of the Infectious Diseases Research Platform
Inaugural co-director of the Infectious Diseases Research Platform
Distinguished Professor Nigel French was appointed the inaugural co-director of the Infectious Diseases Research Platform, established by the New Zealand Government with $36 million of funding. The platform aims to boost Aotearoa New Zealand’s COVID-19 response and prepare for future disease outbreaks.
Women’s health research
Women’s health research
Several Massey research projects are focusing on enhancing women’s health, including:
- investigating the links between menstrual cycle status and iron deficiency diagnosis
- researching the impacts of menstruation and perimenopause tracking apps for atypical users
- research on menopause.
Supporting healthy ageing through research
Supporting healthy ageing through research
In 2024, Massey researchers continued to lead innovative studies focused on improving health and wellbeing in later life. Highlights from this year’s research include:
- New findings showing that dietary nitrate, such as in beetroot juice, can support cardiovascular health and cognitive function in older adults.
- Continued insights from the Health, Work and Retirement longitudinal study, identifying key factors that promote wellbeing as people age.
- Development of a fall-prevention app, designed to enhance safety and independence for older New Zealanders — a project recognised with an ACC scholarship in 2024.
Read more about this research:
A beetroot a day may keep the doctor away
Health and Ageing Research Team study pathways to wellbeing
Student’s research on digital health for fall prevention is awarded ACC scholarship
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