Research and reports

Explore our growing collection of curated reports, research, thematic reviews and journal articles focused on youth health.

Developing a Transition Tool for Young Adults With Neurodevelopmental Conditions

Transition from paediatric to adult healthcare is a challenging time for young adults with neurodevelopmental conditions (NDC). This recently published study aimed to develop a holistic transition tool and identify areas for improvement in transition services based on the consensus of experts involved with the care of children with NDC in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Read article onlinelibrary.wiley.com

Working for a Brighter, Healthier Future: How WHO improves health and promotes well-being for the world’s adolescents

In March 2024, the World Health Organization released an updated report entitled “Working for a Brighter, Healthier Future: How WHO improves health and promotes well-being for the world’s adolescents”. This second edition reflects the priorities around supporting adolescent health and wellbeing.

Read second edition iris.who.int

Nicotine pouches and young people: Evidence from Aotearoa New Zealand

This Briefing presents evidence from new research on youth and young adults' awareness and use of oral nicotine pouches like “Zyn” in Aotearoa New Zealand. It also outlines young people’s views on the Government’s proposal to legalise their sale.

Read the briefing www.phcc.org.nz

A place to talk peacefully

A report prepared by Mana Mokopuna – the Children and Young People’s Commission - on children and young people’s views of the family violence and sexual violence system, and what works to support them to heal.

Read report preventfvsv.govt.nz

Nationwide Implementation of Unguided Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Adolescent Depression: Observational Study of SPARX - Fleming et al

The objective of this study is to evaluate uptake, adherence, and changes in symptoms of depression for 12‐ to 19-year-olds using an unguided pure self-help iCBT intervention (SPARX; Smart, Positive, Active, Realistic, X-factor thoughts) during the first 7 years of it being publicly available without referral in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Read paper www.jmir.org

Ngā Māuiui Kai: Eating disorders | issues Aotearoa youth peer workforce guidelines

Ngā māuiui kai: Eating disorders | issues Aotearoa youth peer workforce guidelines provide a professional development and service integration framework for the peer workforce.

Learn more www.wharaurau.org.nz

Ngā Māuiui Kai: A te reo Māori glossary for eating disorders

This papakupu (glossary) builds on Te Reo Hāpai, presenting kupu Māori for use by people with eating difficulties and disorders, their whānau, as well as eating disorder researchers, policymakers, and the wellbeing workforce.

Download glossary www.wharaurau.org.nz

Ngā māuiui kai: Māori whānau experiences of eating disorders

Ngā māuiui kai: Māori whānau experiences of eating disorders is a resource to help whānau who are supporting a family member with an eating issue or disorder.

Download resource www.wharaurau.org.nz

Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) | Essential skills

These webinars were recorded in 2024 and they introduce you to essential skills related to Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID).

Access resources www.wharaurau.org.nz

Barrie, C. (2024). Embracing trauma-informed practice in Aotearoa New Zealand schools: The perspectives of those at the coalface. Kairaranga,

‘Trauma-informed’ is fast becoming a buzzword, a term being used widely across health, education, and other sectors. Online technologies are enabling an increasing number of schools to have instant access to ‘expert’ trauma-informed approaches, practices and research, however, the ways in which this information is being used varies greatly. This professional inquiry explores educators’ perceptions of the enablers of implementing sustainable, culturally responsive trauma-informed approaches in Aotearoa schools. It details the narrative inquiry and semi-structured interviews used to collect the perspectives of six school tumuaki (principals) in a diverse range of schools including urban, rural, low socio-economic and bilingual. Themes mirror both international and Aotearoa research of systems change in schools by identifying leadership, vision, inclusive culture, and innovation as the key levers in providing a trauma-informed inclusive education approach based on strengths-based, mana-preserving, culturally responsive practice.

Read article kairaranga.ac.nz

Another way of looking at teens: Positive youth development

By Keryn O’Neill, MA, PGCertEdPsych, Knowledge Manager Teenagers. Let’s think about that for a minute. What images, thoughts, or feelings does the word teenagers conjure up?

Read article brainwave.org.nz

Te Hā Ora: A guide to support rangatahi to quit vaping

This guide from the Asthma & Respiratory Foundation NZ aims to help health professionals who work with adolescents and young adults (AYA) to tackle vaping and e-cigarette addiction through five important steps: screening, assessment, behavioural support, pharmacotherapy, and follow-up.

Access guide www.asthmafoundation.org.nz

Indigenous adolescent health in Aotearoa New Zealand: Trends, policy and advancing equity for rangatahi Maori, 2001–2019

Rangatahi Māori, the Indigenous adolescents of Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ), have poorer health outcomes than Pākehā (NZ European /other European/“White”) adolescents. We explored the influence of policies for Indigenous youth by presenting health trends, inequities and contrasting policy case examples: tobacco control and healthcare access.

Read article www.thelancet.com

Youth2000 Survey Series

Youth19 Rangatahi Smart Survey: The Health and Wellbeing of Young People in Alternative Education (AE)

Read static1.squarespace.com

Culturally sustaining and safe spaces for youth

A fact sheet from Putahi Rangahau Ngatahi - Centre for Community Research and Evaluation, The University of Auckland.

Read fact sheet www.auckland.ac.nz

Mortality Risk of Youth With Neurodevelopmental Conditions An Aotearoa New Zealand Nationwide Birth Cohort Study

What is the mortality risk for youth with neurodevelopmental conditions (NDCs)?

Read the research jamanetwork.com

Content that Crosses the Line: Conversations with young people about extremely harmful content online

The Classification Office is tasked with assessing and classifying content to prevent and reduce harm to our communities. To guide their response, they hear directly from young people

Read the document www.classificationoffice.govt.nz