A Better Start

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce successfully launched the $34.7M National Science Challenge “A Better Start- E Tipu e Rea” in Auckland on February 19th 2016. The purpose behind this initiative is to predict, prevent and treat obesity, learning and mental health problems in children and teenagers.

Our study, Emergent Bilinguals in the Digital World, is led by Associate Professor Una Cunningham and Distinguished Professor Niki Davis. Our focus is developing strategies to support children who are growing up as bilingual in English and Te Reo Māori or Samoan.
Our research team includes research assistants Leona Harris and Saili Aukuso and researchers Lia de Vocht and College of Education, Health and Human Development Kai-arahi Pasifika Leali’ie’e Tufulasi Taleni.

Further details about A Better Start at the University of Canterbury can be found on the Challenge website.