Strengthening International Health Collaboration: A Glimpse into the Japan-New Zealand Bilateral Joint Research Project

Strengthening International Health Collaboration: A Glimpse into the Japan-New Zealand Bilateral Joint Research Project

In February 2025, a significant milestone was reached in the multi-organisational research collaboration between New Zealand and Japan in the development of equitable and resilient health systems. This partnership, supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science and Royal Society Te Apārangi, continues to make strides toward addressing critical health challenges exacerbated by demographic change, climate resilience, and the growing demand for healthcare.

Led by the University of Waikato and Hiroshima University, the collaboration’s most recent activity saw Japanese researchers visiting New Zealand after the first stage of exchanges in Japan in November 2024. Over five days, the joint research team participated in a variety of site visits, seminars, and discussions, aimed at knowledge exchange and helping manuhiri to understand more about the New Zealand context as it relates to the overarching goals of the project.

In early February the delegation began their research trip in Hamilton.

At K’aute Pasifika Trust, the delegation was hosted by CEO Wilmason Jensen and General Manager Dianne Mulhern. The visit provided a deeper understanding of the key health challenges faced by Pacific families in Aotearoa and in particular the history of migration between Aotearoa and Pacific nations. Dr Jesse Whitehead said “The experience allowed the delegates to learn not just about the key health challenges of New Zealand based Pacific peoples but also about the health and social services that have been developed to address them”.

The delegation then visited the Hilda Ross Retirement Village in Hamilton. At the Village the delegates engaged in discussion and learning around models of care, services within the facility, use of pain relief, medical equipment and devices, in-patient dementia care units and the delivery of aged care services in New Zealand.

Day One wrapped up at Pinnacle PHO. After powhiri, the delegation joined Rawiri Blundell, Katie Latimer and Jason Butcher in conversations around ongoing health inequities, funding shortfalls and major workforce shortages.

The following day, the delegation visited several clinical sites in rural Waikato, specifically to regions affected by Cyclone Gabrielle. At the Hauraki PHO in Thames, the delegation was welcomed by CEO Taima Campbell. It was a valuable opportunity for the Japanese delegates to learn about the activities of a kaupapa Māori health service and the context of the Te Tara o Te Whai locality in relation to the delivery of services and in also pre and post emergencies such as Cyclone Hale and Gabrielle.

The team also visited Thames Hospital and the Whangamatā GP Clinic, which provided opportunities for the delegates to further discuss and share insights on managing healthcare in the face of extreme weather events, rural health workforce and what resilience looks like at rural or isolated health facilities. “What stood out was how rural health providers had to adapt quickly during and after the cyclone to ensure patient safety and care,” said Professor Ross Lawrenson, Project Lead from the University of Waikato.

Mid-week Te Ngira Institute for Population Research at the University of Waikato hosted the NZ-Japan Joint Research Seminar. The seminar was an opportunity for both New Zealand and Japanese researchers to share their research related to the projects key themes. The morning session featured presentations from the New Zealand team, including Dr Jesse Whitehead and Associate Professor Polly Atatoa Carr, who highlighted health inequities and the application of Big Data in health research. The Japanese delegates presented research and contextual information on disaster and climate change related health issues, planetary health, the role of traditional medicine and systems that support rural health in Japan.

Heading back into rural New Zealand the delegation visited Tokoroa Hospital, where they observed and discussed service offerings and scope, intra-district flows and pathways and capacity management. Point of Care Testing and primary birthing units, which are notably different from Japan’s systems were a key point of interest.

After a brief stop at Rotorua Hospital, the delegation returned to Hamilton to prepare for their final day.

The hospice model is not seen in the Japanese context so spending time a Hospice Waikato gave the delegates plenty to consider. The model of care, philosophy, service domains, the psychosocial and spiritual wellbeing provided to patients and their families, and the challenges associated with service delivery in rural areas were explored.

The delegates final meeting was visiting Dr Maiko Smith, a general surgeon with experience in disaster response. “Her work in Christchurch, especially during the 2011 earthquake and 2019 terrorist attack, offered invaluable lessons in emergency healthcare and resilience,” said Talis Liepins.

As the multi-organisational research collaboration moves forward, members are optimistic about the potential impact of their work. With the common objective of developing equitable and resilient health systems that can respond to three key challenges – growing demand for healthcare, climate resilience and demographic change – the Catalyst group has been further strengthened by this visit.

Looking ahead, the partnership between the University of Waikato and Hiroshima University will continue to evolve, with plans for further research on disaster preparedness, healthcare systems, and the integration of indigenous knowledge in resilience efforts. “This collaboration is just the beginning,” said Professor Lawrenson “We have already identified several key areas for future research, including post-disaster health dynamics and the role of traditional medicine in supporting recovery.”