Digital Health
Te Tītoki Mataora MedTech Research Translator is a multi-faceted initiative focused on growing Aotearoa New Zealand’s deep tech sector. It will do this by supporting research and industry that address healthcare needs, contribute to improved lives, and improve equity of access to care and outcomes.
The name “Te Tītoki Mataora” was gifted by Matua Te Wharekōtua Turuwhenua (Ngāi Tūhoe) following kōrero with Jason Turuwhenua (Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Porou), and the wider whānau. Jason is the Auckland Bioengineering Institute’s Associate Director Māori.
Tītoki
refers to Alectryon excelsus, the Aotearoa native tree. The extracted oil was traditionally valued for its health-giving properties. Tītoki conveys the ideas of strength and healing.
Mataora
refers to wedges used in the construction of waka. The mataora are a traditional technology used to give effect to the bindings of the waka, and thereby establish its structural integrity.
Te Tītoki Mataora therefore embodies the concepts of health and technology bound together to restore well-being – a perfect description for the MedTech Research Translator.
Te Tītoki Mataora Can Help You
Te Tītoki Mataora supports Aotearoa's health technology ecosystem through two linked programmes that encourages collaboration for the development, testing, and translation of their ideas into sustainable clinical solutions.
The Research Acceleration Programme (RAP), funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE). A contestable fund for early-stage medical device and digital health development.
The HealthTech Capability Programme (HTCP), funded by the University of Auckland (UoA). A series of five capability-building modules focusing on Mātauranga Māori, Pacific Engagement, Future Research Leaders, Clinical Translation and Commercial Translation.
Te Tītoki Mataora has also curated a series of resources for each stage of health technology commercialisation in support of the HTCP module initiatives.
1. Qualify need
2. Connect with Experts
3. Solution Ideation
4. Building a prototype solution
5. Quality and Regulatory Management
6. Validation testing of prototype
7. Clinical + user validation
8. Implementation
What is the problem you want to solve?
Consulting with relevant healthcare workers, patients and communities will help you determine the nature and significance of the problem to be solved. It's important you understand how others have tried to meet this need through systematic literature review, patents and competitor searchers.
How We Work
Values
Te Tītoki Mataora is founded on the values of respect and integrity, genuine collaboration, excellence, and service.
Vision
Te Tītoki Mataora will enable collegial and collaborative working relationships between members of its network that will contribute to improved health outcomes for all New Zealanders.
Commitment
The following fundamental Te Ao Māori principles reflect Te Tītoki Mataora’s foundational relationship with tangata whenua and the commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi:
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Manaakitanga – Caring for those around us in the way we relate to each other.
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Whanaungatanga – Recognising the importance of kinship and lasting relationships.
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Kaitiakitanga – Valuing stewardship and guardianship and our relationship with the natural world.
Te Tītoki Mataora also has a commitment to positively impact society by encouraging greater participation of communities in its work, and by working inclusively and respectfully with all communities. In particular we recognise Māori communities as tangata whenua, and consider Pacific Island communities given Aotearoa New Zealand’s unique position at the centre of the Pacific region.
There is an expected commitment to open discussions, positive negotiation, and a problem-solving approach to all related matters.
Want to learn more?