ANNUAL REPORT - Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga

A Commitment to Excellent ResearchWe conduct excellent research that addresses needsand opportunities arising in Māori communitiesWhatukura: A BioengineeredModel of the Human EyeThis study, led by Ngā Pae o te MāramatangaPrincipal Investigator Dr Jason Turuwhenua,developed a computer-based bioengineeredmodel of the human eye to provide greaterinsight into eye disease and treatments. Thisresearch helps patients and their whānau betterunderstand their eye and vision exams, and hasimproved clinical outcomes.Completed in 2011, this Ngā Pae o te Māramatangaproject holds extra significance for Māori asresearch suggests that past negative experiencesfor Māori in the health system affect furtheraccess, uptake and use of health care services.The goal is to have this non-threatening modelsystem available in clinics or even in the home,showing whānau members the patient’s view, anddemonstrating progression and the benefits oftreatment. Such developments foster health andsocial wellbeing, and contribute to te pā harakeke– healthy and prosperous families of mana.Jason (Ngāti Porou, Ngāi Tūhoe) is a Ngā Pae o teMāramatanga Principal Investigator and ResearchFellow at The University of Auckland’s AucklandBioengineering Institute and Department ofOptometry and Vision Science. He has long beeninterested in how engineering methods might beapplied to problems in vision. In this initial projectthe research team developed the program andcompleted initial testing, with positive feedback.The team is now looking at the possibility ofusing “augmented reality” or human–computerinteraction in real time, and developing other aidsfor people with poor vision.2011 ANNUAL REPORT 9