New Zealand Health Research Strategy 2017–2027: Summary of Submissions and Consultation

Summary

Background

The Ministries of Health (MoH), and Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) are working with the Health Research Council (HRC) to develop a health research strategy for New Zealand.

This strategy will set a 10-year strategic direction for the health research system. Its aim is to ensure that investments in health research make the greatest contribution to the lives of New Zealanders – to their health and their economic and social wellbeing.

In May 2016, the Government published the New Zealand Health Research Strategy: Public discussion document. The public discussion document formed the basis for discussing the directions and priorities for the Health Research Strategy.

Key themes in submissions

This summary of submissions and consultation document presents the analysis of the submissions received on the public discussion document and the key themes that emerged from public consultations and focus groups.

There were a number of common areas of agreement among submitters and in consultation meetings. These included the need to:

• prioritise equity in health outcomes
• enhance collaborations and engage users
• build a culture of research and innovation in the health sector
• engage with Māori
• set priorities for investment for health research
• focus on research translation
• develop the health research workforce and the research skills of health practitioners.

Additional themes raised by submitters and in consultation, included:

• Pacific health research
• disability research
• New Zealand clinical trials
• funding health research
• building infrastructure
• improving ethics and regulatory systems.