Back row (from left): Harry Naske, Brayden Maxwell, Tupuhi Gardner, Tevita 'Akau'ola, Luke Stoltenberg, Samuel Porter, Nic Proffit, Keeley Cairns, Holly Flyger
Front row (from left): Ella Arthur, Hayley Templer, Rachael McLanachan, Holly Williams, Anna Heikell, Imogen Amor Bendall, Alani McLeod, Braden Fowell (Junior Project Coordinator).

From cutting-edge medical imaging to bioengineering, leadership, innovative research, waiata, and mātauranga Māori, our Mātai Summer Internship Programme, gave 16 outstanding interns the chance to tackle real-world health challenges.

Under the leadership of Hugh & Moira Green Research Fellow Dr Maryam Tayebi, and with guidance from 23 supervisors and speakers across academia, healthcare, community, and industry — the interns worked in a number of areas including brain research, AI-driven diagnostics, and community-centred healthcare solutions.

This year, Mātai was so proud to have ANZ Aotearoa as a major supporter of the programme, reinforcing their commitment to strengthening community resilience. We were thrilled to have Marcus Bousfield and Ema Riri attend the interns' final presentations on behalf of ANZ Aotearoa.

A huge thank you to our major supporters of this year's programme:
🔹Hugh Green Foundation (cornerstone funder)
🔹Trust Tairāwhiti
🔹Pultron Composites Ltd

We also acknowledge Turanga Health and Te Puni Kōkiri, major previous supporters of the internship programme. We thank the Mangatawa Beale Williams Memorial Trust for their support toward the space where our interns worked; JN & HB Williams Foundation for supporting the space where STEM educator Tōnui Collab sits, strengthening our education pipeline; Kahui Pakeke for bringing the interns together with waiata at Te Whatu Ora Tairāwhiti; and the Quest Enterprise Trust for their contribution to GGHS student interns and contributing to the space where our research fellows mentored and supported the interns.

A special thanks to the NZ Health Research Council and the Royal Society Te Apārangi Marsden Fund for providing research funding that enabled some of our interns to pursue their projects, and to the New Zealand eScience Infrastructure for their support in high-performance computing.

From the words of the interns themselves, the word cloud below showcases how they described their experience in the programme!

Ka mau te wehi to our interns for your hard work and dedication - we can't wait to see where your journey takes you next! 💙

To learn more about the programme, our interns' projects, and some of the speakers and supporters who made it possible thus far, see below link. 

Image from right: Wonderful collaborative visit to GE Global Research in Niskayuna, New York, USA with Dr Hari Kumar (GE Healthcare), Dr Daneh Turner (GE Healthcare), Dr Daniel Cornfeld (Mātai & Te Whatu Ora Tairāwhiti), Dr Samantha Holdsworth (Mātai & University of Auckland), Itamar Terem (Stanford University), Leigh Potter (Mātai), Dr Thomas Foo (GE Healthcare). 

It is with mixed emotions that we announce the departure of our beloved GE Healthcare Scientist Dr Hari Kumar, whose contributions to Mātai have been nothing short of exceptional.

Over the years, Hari has played a huge role in advancing our MRI methods development and has been important for so many Mātai-GE Healthcare projects.

Hari has it all – programming, research, and technical expertise, a tireless work ethic, humility, and massive heart. He will be hugely missed by all of his Mātai and GE Healthcare whānau.

We're so grateful for the time we've had with you, Hari, and for everything you've contributed to Mātai and GE Healthcare. Wishing you all the best in your future journey – we really look forward to opportunities to collaborate again in the future!

GE Healthcare is currently advertising to fill Hari's role with us at Mātai. For more information, click here. 

Recently, we celebrated our receptionist Rickie-Lee Lawton's time as an amazing member of our Mātai whānau.

From the moment she walked in, she brought a sense of connection and aroha that enhanced our whānau-centric environment. Her hard work behind the scenes as well as her exceptional par-excellent service at the front has kept everything running smoothly, and her smile has brightened the days of so many.

Join us as we wish Rickie-Lee all the best in her next adventure! We know she'll continue to do amazing things, and we're excited to see what the future holds for her. 

Two years ago, Cyclone Gabrielle devastated our communities, leaving many whānau and organisations struggling to rebuild. In response, the Mātai Tairāwhiti Relief Fund (MTRF) was launched to provide vital financial and material support.

Thanks to your generosity, the fund raised $535,567 - with a special shout out to the Auckland RUM Club raffle, which contributed an incredible $283,000. Every dollar donated went directly to those in need, offering both immediate relief and long-term recovery support.

This month we reflect on the strength of our community and the ongoing journey of resilience. 

It was truly wonderful to have the Mātai Board together for our Strategy Day, expertly led by Professor Brett Cowan and facilitated by Lisa Bates.

The day was an opportunity to reflect on our journey, celebrate our successes, and map out a bold and sustainable future for Mātai guided by our amazing Board seen here. A heartfelt thank you to Brett, Lisa, and all who contributed their expertise and energy to making the day such a success. We look forward to bringing our strategic vision to life!

BoT Members (from left): Professor Brett Cowan, Dame Ingrid Nea Collins, Reweti Ropiha MNZM, Dame Bronwen Holdsworth, Distinguished Professor Graham Hingangaroa Smith, and Robert (Joe) Bryden. Absent: Distinguished Professor Sir Richard Faull.

We're thrilled to announce that 15 novel abstracts involving Mātai and its national and international collaborators - including the University of Auckland, Stanford University, University of Washington, GE Healthcare, and many others - have been accepted for presentation at the leading technical MRI conference (ISMRM/ISMRT) in Hawaii this year. These studies showcase cutting-edge advancements in MRI technology, from novel imaging techniques for brain fluid flow and neurodegenerative diseases to innovative methods for assessing brain injury, ADHD, multiple sclerosis, and cerebral tumours.

ISMRM abstracts include:

🔹 Afis Ajala – Assessment of slow brain flow using SCIMI and q-aMRI on high-performance gradient systems
🔹Fargol Rezayaraghi – Amplified MRI applications in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus pre-/post-shunt surgery
🔹Paul Condron – Ultra-high contrast (UHC-MRI) of white matter surrounding cerebral tumours using divided subtracted inversion recovery sequences
🔹Paul Condron – UHC-MRI of the brain and spinal cord in multiple sclerosis using divided subtracted inversion recovery sequences
🔹 Haribalan Kumar – 3D amplified MRI (aMRI) and dynamic mode decomposition (DMD) analysis of ICP-driven cranio-spinal motion
🔹Mark Bydder – Enhancing tissue contrast in UHC-MRI through logarithmic signal processing for improved suppression and visualization of specific tissue types.
🔹Mark Bydder – Investigating the unintended influence of magnetization transfer effects on tissue contrast and signal suppression in UHC-MRI sequences
🔹 Dan Cornfeld – UHC-MRI for detecting symptomatic mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI).
🔹 Ric Ombid – Revealing dynamic brain networks in ADHD using hyperband resting-state fMRI
🔹 Christian Saludar – Longitudinal diffusion MRI analysis of subconcussive head acceleration and its impact on brain microstructure
🔹 Itamar Terem – Classification of amyloid-β status using 3D quantitative-amplified MRI (3D q-aMRI)
🔹 Emma Uren – Investigating diffusion MRI biomarkers in adults with ADHD
🔹 Jethro Wright – How exercise modulates brain pulsatility: Insights from q-aMRI and MRI-based flow methods
🔹 Edward Clarkson – Developing an automated q-aMRI pipeline for scalable brain displacement analysis

Award-Winning ISMRT Abstract (Leading MRI Tech conference occurring at the same time):
🏆 Paul Condron – Ultra-high contrast (UHC-MRI) with bipolar filters: Obvious abnormalities in normal-appearing brain, spinal cord, and optic nerve

These collaborations push the boundaries of imaging science, paving the way for more accurate diagnoses and improved patient outcomes. Congratulations to all researchers for their outstanding contributions! 

Researchers from Mātai and the Auckland Bioengineering Institute recently came together for a collaborative lunch, bringing together teams working across a range of innovative projects. The gathering provided a valuable opportunity for discussions and knowledge sharing among researchers focused on concussion and mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), methamphetamine recovery, ADHD, brain pressure, NeuroTech, Neurofanos, and vision research.

It was fantastic to see our research teams connecting and exchanging insights, strengthening collaborations that drive advancements in medical research. 

A special thanks to all who attended, including Professor Justin Fernandez, Dr Maryam Tayebi, Dr Vickie Shim, Dr Eryn Kwon, Jet Wright, Dr Hamid Abbasi, Christian Saludar, Katze Zambo, Emma Uren, Chun Vong, Nima Sadeghzadeh, and Dr William Schierding.

Mātai Kaiwhakahaere / COO Leigh Potter recently had the privilege of meeting with Professor Reremoana (Moana) Theodore, Director of the world-renowned Dunedin Study. The visit was a valuable opportunity to connect, and learn from one of New Zealand's most significant longitudinal research projects.

A heartfelt thank you to Professor Theodore for her warm hospitality and for so generously sharing her deep knowledge and expertise. The Dunedin Study has been a beacon of excellence in health and developmental research, and it was truly inspiring to hear firsthand about the groundbreaking work being done.

This month we hosted A Morning at Mātai, welcoming approximately 200 people through our doors for an engaging and inspiring event. It was a fantastic opportunity to connect with our community, showcase our facilities, and share the exciting work happening at Mātai.

The morning was filled with highlights, but one of the most talked-about aspects was the incredible work our interns have been contributing to across various projects. It was heartening to see our community's enthusiasm as they learned about the passion and dedication these young minds bring to their fields of study, ranging from engineering and neuroscience to Māori studies and health science.

Guests had the chance to tour our state-of-the-art facilities, hear about our current research, and learn about our partnership with Tōnui Collab. We were delighted to host conversations about the cutting-edge work happening right here in Tairāwhiti and to gather valuable feedback from attendees, helping us strengthen our connection to the community we serve.

We'd like to extend a special thank you to Turanga Health for their support in making this event such a success. Your presence and encouragement are integral to what we do. A massive mihi to Jasmine Taare, who never fails to provide exceptional entertainment for our community. 

Finally, a big thank you to everyone who joined us, shared their thoughts, and enjoyed some coffee along the way.

Stay tuned for more events and updates from the Mātai team, we can't wait to welcome you again!

The Brain Recovery and Preparedness in Adolescents using Imaging After a Rugby Season (Brain-RePAIR) research team at Mātai recently published their initial findings on how playing rugby might affect young players' brains. Researchers used an advanced MRI technique to study the brains of high school rugby players during a single season, comparing them to non-contact sports athletes. The study found no significant changes in the brains of rugby players over the course of a season. However, some differences were found in the brain's white matter tracts (the neural pathways that connect different parts of the brain) between the groups. The underlying reasons for these variations are yet to be studied; they could reflect natural individual differences, changes related to collision sport participation, or positive adaptations of the brain associated with physical activity. 

To gain a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of these findings, it is essential to expand the scope of the study by including a larger group of participants. The Brain-RePAIR study is an ongoing initiative which will improve the accuracy and reliability of the study's outcomes as the number of participants grows. By gathering more information, the research aims to uncover the underlying mechanisms behind the observed differences, ultimately contributing to the development of strategies to protect young athletes while enabling them to fully enjoy the benefits of sports. 

The Brain-RePAIR team would like a special thank you to those and their whānau who participated in the study. Thank you also to Gisborne Boys High School, Poverty Bay Rugby Football Union, Ngā Māngai Māori, Turanga Health, and our wider Tairāwhiti-Gisborne community for their support and partnership toward this ongoing initiative. We thank our wonderful ecosystem of collaborators, funders, and supporters who made this study possible.

Above Image: Depiction of some of the white matter fibre tracts that were studied in this work.

Their research, "Changes to muscle and fascia tissue after eighteen days of ankle immobilization post-ankle sprain injury" takes a closer look at how muscles and connective tissue change while healing from ankle sprain injury. Using advanced MRI techniques, the study has important findings about muscle loss, connective tissue thickening, and the recovery process.

This collaborative study, published in the journal BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, brings together expertise from Auckland Bioengineering Institute, CAMRI, University of Auckland, UNC Chapel Hill, Siemens Medical Solutions, and Mātai.

The MRI scans were conducted at CAMRI, the University of Auckland's Center for Advanced MRI, under the guidance of CAMRI Director Prof David Dubowitz and Dr Catherine Morgan, and tech support from Anna Lydon, all wonderful advisors of Mātai since day one!   

This image shows how advanced MRI techniques are used to study the structure of the medial gastrocnemius muscle:

a) MRI image with the muscle highlighted in red.
b) The same muscle mask applied to a different MRI image type (DTI trace).
c) A 3D model of the muscle created from the highlighted area.
d) Muscle fiber paths generated from the DTI data.
e) Fibers are extended to connect fully with the muscle boundaries.
f) The final model shows these extended fibers on the muscle surface, allowing measurements of fascicle length and angles.

Congratulations to Dr Mark Bydder and the Ultra-High Contrast (UHC-MRI) team on their latest research, which introduces log subtracted inversion recovery (lSIR) – a novel MRI technique designed to enhance contrast at tissue boundaries.

This new method improves the ability to distinguish subtle differences in tissue composition, particularly in conditions like mild traumatic brain injury, hypoxic injury, and ischemic leukoencephalopathy. By refining how MRI images capture contrast, lSIR has the potential to provide sharper, more detailed insights into brain structure – a step forward for both research and clinical applications.

This research is a fantastic example of innovation in imaging science, bringing us closer to more precise and informative MRI diagnostics. Well done, Mark and team! 

This image zooms in on part of the brain, to show how the new Ultra-High Contrast (UHC-MRI) method called 'lSIR' improves clarity at tissue boundaries. Compared to the older UHC-MRI method (dSIR - left and center), lSIR (right) makes hidden structures stand out that would otherwise blend together in similar shades of gray. The graph tracks brightness changes across the image, showing how lSIR enhances contrast in ways that can't be easily adjusted with standard image settings.

Tuterangi Nepe-Apatu has been awarded a scholarship from the New Zealand Sports Foundation Charitable Trust to support his pursuit of a Master of Sport, Exercise and Health at Auckland University of Technology, based at Mātai. This 18-month full-time programme will allow Tuterangi to further his expertise in the field, contributing to the growth and development of sport and health in Aotearoa. His dedication and commitment have earned him this incredible opportunity, and Mātai looks forward to support him during this journey! 

Dame Ingrid Collins, Mātai Trustee, received an appointment as a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2025 New Year Honours.

Dame Ingrid is a trailblazer in Māori leadership, business, and health governance, with over 50 years of remarkable service. From chairing Whangara Farms to her impactful roles in health governance, her contributions are truly inspiring.

Since joining the Mātai Trust Board in 2019, Dame Ingrid has been part of Mātai Institute's incredible journey of growth – from an initial focus on concussion / mTBI brain research to an expansion into 27 diverse research programmes across multiple organ systems. During this time, Mātai has also welcomed 64 summer research interns, and awarded 43 scholarships to school leavers in Tairāwhiti, through the scholarship panel on which Dame Ingrid serves. We are grateful for Dame Ingrid's wisdom and guidance at Mātai, and congratulate her on this incredible achievement.

Congratulations to Christian John Saludar, PhD student from the Auckland Bioengineering Institute, for receiving the Highly Recommended Award – 2024 in the "Visualisation" category at the University of Auckland Biomedical Imaging Research Unit (BIRU) Image Competition, powered by images acquired on the Mātai 3T GE MRI system.

Image: A depiction of the astounding complexity yet intricate beauty of the brain. The piece illustrates the power of tractography, an advanced medical imaging technique that allows visualization of fiber tracts composed of billions of NEURONS,  connecting brain regions resembling a wonderful WIRED circuitry of interconnected nodes. Complex as it may seem, with all the varying components, the brain's total beauty and significant functionality leave anyone in awe and WONDER. This multi-shell diffusion MR image was taken using a GE 3.0 T SIGNA Premier MRI scanner at Matai Medical Research Institute.

Congratulations to our wonderful collaborators Dr Catherine Morgan and Dr Hamid Abassi on receiving the prestigious $600,000 Health Research Council Sir Charles Hercus Fellowship! For Catherine - this award allows her to dedicate the next four years to pioneering MRI research that aims to predict dementia earlier, advancing vital insights into cognitive decline and potential interventions. Hamid's project aims to improve early diagnosis and treatment for newborns with hypoxic-ischemic brain injury. Congratulations to both of these amazing scientists! 

Congratulations to Mātai Honorary Senior Research Fellow Dr Catherine Shi, who has recently taken the new role if Associate Professor in the newly established Department of Data Science and AI, at the Auckland University of Technology. We look forward to continue collaborating with Catherine on different AI-related research projects!

Congratulations to the below award winners, for their success in the recent Auckland Bioengineering Institute Research Forum symposium. 

🏆 Sergio Dempsey, Auckland Bioengineering Institute PhD Student, first place in the three-minute thesis competition.
🏆 Jet Wright, Mātai PhD Student, second place in the three-minute thesis competition. Pictured to the right.
🏆 Professor Justin Fernandez, Auckland Bioengineering Institute, delivered a keynote presentation acknowledging Mātai contribution to the ADHD study, and won Best Supervisor award. 

Ngāti Whakaue

Jackson is an aspiring educator with a strong passion for helping children reach their full potential. Currently in his last year training to be a primary teacher, he works at a kura supporting special needs tamariki, where he fosters meaningful connections and encourages growth. With a large sporting background, Jackson understands the value of teamwork, discipline, and resilience - qualities he brings into his teaching. His dedication to child development has now led him to work as a research assistant in the Mātai mTBI/concussion study with the Boy's High School 1st XV. Committed to making a positive impact, Jackson thrives on building strong relationships with individuals from all walks of life, ensuring every person he works with feels supported and empowered.

Alisha is a passionate professional with a background in communications and marketing, having studied at the University of Otago for two years. With plenty of experience in the hospitality industry, she's built a strong work ethic and a real love for helping others. Alisha feels a deep connection to Gisborne, her home, and loves being part of the community. Over the years, she's developed her skills in customer service, administration, and communication, always enjoying the opportunity to connect with people and learn new things. With a passion for health and people, Alisha has been involved in sports throughout her life and is excited to be a part of the meaningful impact Mātai is making in the health space and the wider community.

Hi my name is Jonty Evans. I was born and grew up here in Gisborne, I am 21 years old. I am currently finishing off a Bachelor of Business degree through the University of Waikato. I am majoring in the field of strategic management and minoring in marketing. During my time at university I have learnt a wide range of business skills which I hope to apply to Mātai, as I will be working as an intern for Leigh Potter over the next 5 weeks. I look forward to meeting everyone, and I thank Leigh and the team at Mātai for giving me this opportunity.

Tim is a General Practitioner working in Tairāwhiti, having completed both his junior doctor and Fellowship years in Gisborne. Tim retrained as a doctor after more than a decade working as a physiotherapist, including several years at the Millennium Institute of Sport and Health in Auckland. He has both Bachelors (University of Otago) and Masters (University of Queensland) qualifications in physiotherapy. He completed his medical degree (MbCHb; University of Auckland) with Distinction. He is currently undertaking his PhD (University of Otago) in association with Mātai, while continuing part time clinical work and co-managing City Medical Gisborne.

Tim's research interests focus on prevention and early lifestyle intervention in cardiometabolic diseases such as diabetes, metabolic syndrome and ischaemic heart disease. His PhD aims to determine whether continuous glucose monitors (CGM) can promote behavioural change in people with prediabetes and early type-2 diabetes and whether this translates into measurable improvements in blood sugar control, fitness, and body composition. He is working with colleagues at Mātai to set up an exercise physiology laboratory that will enable rigorous assessment of fitness and metabolic health across a broad spectrum of health, from people with advanced diabetes through to elite athletes.

Mātai 2024/25 Summer interns, pictured with Korbus Mentz, with their own copies of his recent book. 

We were privileged to welcome Kobus Mentz, our esteemed campus designer, to speak with Mātai interns about his insightful book, The Future Embraced – You Have Some Agency Over Your Future and a Little Over That of the Planet – Use It!

Kobus provided thought-provoking perspectives and practical wisdom, inspiring our interns to recognise their potential in shaping both their own futures and the world around them. His discussion offered valuable insights on transforming challenges into opportunities and aligning personal aspirations with a sustainable, people-centered vision for the planet.

An internationally renowned urban designer, and strategist, Kobus has led transformative projects worldwide. His contributions to the design of the Mātai campus exemplify his commitment to innovation, collaboration, and positive community impact.

We extend our sincere gratitude to Kobus for an inspiring and insightful session, equipping the next generation of change-makers with the knowledge and motivation to make a meaningful difference.

📚 Learn more about Kobus's work and his book, The Future Embraced: www.thefutureembraced.com