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Professor David Tipene-Leach

Māori and Indigenous Research Professor

Phone

06 830 1090

Qualifications

NZOM, PhD

Contact

Email David

Profile

Formerly a Hawke’s Bay doctor, David was appointed Professor of Māori and Indigenous Research at EIT in early 2017.

He was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Māori and health in 2018.

From Pōrangahau and of Ngāti Kere and Ngāti Manuhiri descent, David has spent his working life promoting Māori health.

Celebrated for the work he has undertaken to prevent Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI), he worked with weavers and Maori midwives in developing the wahakura woven flax bassinet and “its little sister”, the plastic Pepi-Pod.

The subsequent Safe Sleep programme has been credited with saving the lives of many babies. The Ministry of Health announced in 2017 that the infant safe sleep programme would run the wahakura project nationwide.

David continues to advance his research interests at EIT, where he also teaches a postgraduate programme in Māori health.

Research Outputs

Research outputs 2022

Chote, B., McKelvie-Sebileau, P., Swinburn, B., Tipene-Leach, D., & D’Souza, E. (2022). Culture of healthy eating and food environments, policies, and practices in regional New Zealand schools. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(11), Article 6729. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19116729

Chote, B., Rees, D., Swinburn, B., McKelvie-Sebileau, P., Glassey, R., & Tipene-Leach, D. (2022). Systems mapping of the New Zealand free and healthy school lunch programme: Perspectives from lunch providers. Nutrients, 14(20), Article 4336. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/14/20/4336

McKelvie-Sebileau, P., D’Souza, E., Tipene-Leach, D., Swinburn, B., & Gerritsen, S. (2022). Healthy food environments in early learning services: An analysis of manager survey responses, menus and policies in regional New Zealand early childhood education and care centres. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(8), Article 4709. https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/8/4709

McKelvie-Sebileau, P., Gerritsen, S., Swinburn, B., D’Souza, E., & Tipene-Leach, D. (2022). Nourishing Hawke’s Bay: He wairua tō te kai – Food security, health behaviours and wellbeing in children in regional New Zealand. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand, 52(4), 357-375. https://doi.org/10.1080/03036758.2022.2064519

McKelvie-Sebileau, P., Pekepo, C., Rees, D., Swinburn, B., Gerritsen, S., & Tipene-Leach, D. (2022). Applying the complementary knowledge bases of System Dynamics and Indigenous knowledge in public health research in Aotearoa, New Zealand. AlterNative: An International Journal of Indigenous Peoples, 18(4), 576-585. https://doi.org/10.1177/11771801221119266

McKelvie-Sebileau, P., Rees, D., Tipene-Leach, D., D’Souza, E., Swinburn, B., & Gerritsen, S. (2022). Community co-design of regional actions for children’s nutritional health combining indigenous knowledge and systems thinking. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(9), Article 4936. https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/9/4936

Tipene-Leach, D., & Walker, R. (2022). Pervasive kidney health inequities for Māori require multi-level attention. Nature Reviews Nephrology, 18(9), 541-542. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41581-022-00606-8

McKelvie-Sebileau, P., Rees, D., Tipene-Leach, D., Swinburn, B., & Gerritsen, S. (2022). Combining Indigenous knowledge with Group Model Building (GMB) systems mapping to build community capacity and promote solutions that take into account underlying social inequities [Poster session P396]. Obesity Reviews, 23(S2 Abstracts of the International Congress on Obesity), e13503. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/obr.13503

McKelvie-Sebileau, P., Rees, D., Pekepo, C., D’Souza, E., Swinburn, B., Gerritsen, S., & Tipene-Leach, D. (2022, May 15-19). Incorporating indigenous knowledge and practices into community-based participatory research to engage a community for improved nutrition for children [Paper presentation]. 24th IUHPE World Conference on Health Promotion, Montreal, Canada.

McKelvie-Sebileau, P., Swinburn, B., Tipene-Leach, D., & Gerritsen, S. (2022, November 30-December 2). A free lunch is not enough: Introducing a universal school lunch programme in low equity schools in New Zealand [Paper presentation]. ITP Research Symposium 2022, Invercargill, New Zealand. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwrM3qAWU5A

Research outputs 2021

Abel, S. L., Whitehead, L. C., Tipene-Leach, D. C., & Coppell, K. J. (2021). Proximal and distal influences on dietary change among a diverse group with prediabetes participating in a pragmatic, primary care nurse-led intervention: A qualitative study. Public Health Nutrition, 24(18), 6015-6026. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980021001968

Coppell, K. J., Abel, S., Whitehead, L. C., Tangiora, A., Spedding, T., & Tipene-Leach, D. (2021). A diagnosis of prediabetes when combined with lifestyle advice and support is considered helpful rather than a negative label by a demographically diverse group: A qualitative study. Primary Care Diabetes. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pcd.2021.10.003

McKelvie-Sebileau, P., Rees, D., Swinburn, B., Gerritsen, S., D’Souza, E., & Tipene-Leach, D. (2021). Combining cognitive mapping and indigenous knowledge to improve food environments in regional New Zealand. Health Promotion Journal of Australia. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1002/hpja.549

Tipene-Leach, D., Adcock, A., Abel, S., & Sherwood, D. (2021). The Choosing Wisely campaign and shared decision-making with Māori. New Zealand Medical Journal, 134(1547), 26-33.

Tipene-Leach, D., & McKelvie-Sebileau, P. (2021). The impact of the covid-19 level 4 lockdown on food security among whānau of decile 1 schools. MAI Journal, 10(1), 17-20. https://doi.org/10.20507/MAIJournal.2021.10.1.3

McKelvie-Sebileau, P., Gerritsen, S., Swinburn, B., Tipene-Leach, D., Rees, R., & D’Souza, E. (2021, September 10). He wairua tō te kai: Community views on regional food security and wellbeing in children [Paper presentation]. HealthEx 2021, Auckland, New Zealand.

McKelvie-Sebileau, P., Swinburn, B., Gerritsen, S., D’Souza, E., & Tipene-Leach, D. (2021, December 2-3). He wairua tō te kai: Nutrition, food security and wellbeing in children in regional New Zealand [Paper presentation]. Nutrition Society of New Zealand Annual Conference, Wellington, New Zealand.

Tipene-Leach, D. (2021, August 6-8). Cultural safety, cultural competence and health equity [Keynote presentation]. GP21, Annual Conference of RNZCGP, Wellington, New Zealand.

Tipene-Leach, D. (2021, July 27). Cultural safety, inequity and modern medical practice [Invited speaker]. New Zealand Medico-Legal Congress, Wellington, New Zealand.

Tipene-Leach, D. (2021, July 2-3). What to do about continuing disparities? Creating Solutions: Towards Better Health Equity For All, Virtual Conference of the Associated Salaried Medical Specialists.

Tipene-Leach, D. (2021, November 11-13). SUDI prevention: A new direction for the tail of the epidemic [Invited plenary speaker]. ISA-ISPID 2021 Digital Conference.

Tipene-Leach, D., Fidow, J. F., Aperahama, K., Hall, A., McIntosh, C., Mitchell, E., Muriwai, H., Nicoll, K., Spriggs, K., & Tetitaha, T. (2021). SUDI prevention in New Zealand: The case for Hauora – A wellbeing approach. Report of the Ministry of Health Expert Advisory Group on SUDI, August 2021.

Carter, M., Potiki, M., Haggie, H., & Tipene-Leach, D. (2021). Cultural safety within vocational medical training. Report of Te ORA and the Council of Medical Colleges, May 2021. https://www.cmc.org.nz/media/w0be4zv5/final-te-ora-cmc-cultural-safety-report-20210512.pdf

Tipene-Leach, D. (2021, September 28). Moving Māori SUDI prevention away from ‘risk’ [Oral presentation]. In Sleep me safe: Latest Research on SUDI [Webinar]. Better Start National Science Challenge Webinar Series. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHPLirxW2aI

Tipene-Leach, D., & Sherwood, D. (2021, March 16). Choosing Wisely in NZ: A background of inequity [Invited oral presentation]. In Considering equity in reducing low-value care [Webinar]. RACP Evolve Webinar Series 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUdvagISVKs

Research outputs 2020

Research outputs 2019

Blair, P. S., Tipene-Leach, D., & Colson, E. R. (2019). Bedsharing: What is the evidence? In C. Cohen, I. Scheimberg, J. B. Beckwith & F. Hauck (Eds.), Investigation of sudden infant death syndrome (pp. 149-155). https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108186001.026

Coppell, K., Freer, T., Abel, S., Whitehead, L., Tipene-Leach, D., Gray, A. R., . . . Perreault, L. (2019). What predicts regression from pre-diabetes to normal glucose regulation following a primary care nurse-delivered dietary intervention? A study protocol for a prospective cohort study. BMJ Open, 9(12), e033358. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2019-033358

Curtis, E., Jones, R., Tipene-Leach, D., Walker, C., Loring, B., Paine, S.-J., & Reid, P. (2019). Why cultural safety rather than cultural competency is required to achieve health equity: A literature review and recommended definition. International Journal for Equity in Health, 18(1), Article No. 174. doi:10.1186/s12939-019-1082-3

Loring, B. J., Ineson, S., Sherwood, D., & Tipene-Leach, D. (2019). Choosing Wisely means choosing equity [Editorial]. New Zealand Medical Journal, 132(1496), 6-8. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal-articles/choosing-wisely-means-choosing-equity

Tipene-Leach, D., & Abel, S. (2019). Innovation to prevent sudden infant death: The wahakura as an Indigenous vision for a safe sleep environment. Australian Journal of Primary Health, 25(5), 406-409. https://doi.org/10.1071/PY19033

Walker, R. C., Abel, S., Reynolds, A., Palmer, S. C., Walker, C., & Tipene-Leach, D. C. (2019). Experiences, perspectives and values of Indigenous peoples regarding kidney transplantation: Systematic review and thematic synthesis of qualitative studies. International Journal for Equity in Health, 18(1), Article No. 204. doi:10.1186/s12939-019-1115-y

Walker, R. C., Graham, A., Palmer, S. C., Jagroop, A., & Tipene-Leach, D. C. (2019). Understanding the experiences, perspectives and values of indigenous women around smoking cessation in pregnancy: Systematic review and thematic synthesis of qualitative studies. International Journal for Equity in Health, 18(1), Article 74. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-019-0981-7

Walker, R. C., Tipene-Leach, D., Graham, A., & Palmer, S. C. (2019). Patients’ experiences of community house hemodialysis: A qualitative study. Kidney Medicine, 1(6), 338-346. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xkme.2019.07.010

Morris-Matthews, K., & Tipene-Leach, D. (2019, April). Ngātahi – Working together in our community on research that matters. Paper presented at the 2019 ITP Research Symposium, Napier, New Zealand.

Tipene-Leach, D. (2019, April). Reviewing and renewing cultural competence in the medical profession and a case study in mental health. Paper presented at the 2019 ITP Research Symposium, Napier, New Zealand.

Tipene-Leach, D. (2019, May). Choosing Wisely and choosing equitably: The role of cultural competence. Paper presented at the Choosing Wisely Forum 2019: Continuing the Conversation, Wellington, New Zealand.

Tipene-Leach, D. (2019, May). Its not all that hard to do a great job: Cultural competence in a nutshell. Paper presented at the New Zealand Society for the Study of Diabetes (NZSSD) Annual Scientific Meeting, Napier, New Zealand.

Tipene-Leach, D. (2019, October). Are our emergency departments a safe place for Māori. Paper presented at the New Zealand Emergency Department Conference, Taupo, New Zealand.

Tipene-Leach, D. (2019, October). Equitable radiation oncology outcomes for Māori. In M. Chilkuri (Chair), Radiation Oncology Faculty Forum. Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR) Annual Scientific Meeting, Auckland, New Zealand.

Tipene-Leach, D. (2019, September). Inequity in infant deaths in Aotearoa. Paper presented at the Sands National Conference, Christchurch, New Zealand.

Walker, R. C., Tipene-Leach, D., Palmer, S. C., Graham, A., & Marshall, M. (2019, June). Independent community dialysis houses – A home away from home. Paper presented at the Renal Society of Australasia Annual Conference, Auckland, New Zealand.

Tipene-Leach, D., Abel, S., Hiha, A., & Morris Matthews, K. (2019). Rangahaua Te Kūwatawata! The Te Kūwatata evaluation: Final report. Napier, New Zealand: Māori and Indigenous Research, Research & Innovation Centre, Eastern Institute of Technology. https://www.hauoratairawhiti.org.nz/assets/Uploads/Te-Kuwatawata-Evaluation-FINAL-Report.pdf

Tipene-Leach, D. (2019, August 29). Te Kūwatawata. Brown Bag Research Lunchtime Seminar presented at the Eastern Institute of Technology, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand.

Morris Matthews, K., Hiha, A., Abel, S., Chisnell, C., Malcolm, C., McKelvie –Sebileau, P., Austin, K., Hanna, S., & Tipene-Leach, D. (2019). Report on the evaluation of the Ngātahi Project in Year Two. Napier, New Zealand: Research & Innovation Centre, Eastern Institute of Technology.

Matthews, K. M., Tipene-Leach, D., Hiha, A., Abel, S., McKelvie-Sebileau, P., Chisnell, C., Hanna, S., Malcolm, C., & Austin, K. (2019, July 25). NGĀTAHI: A pilot programme in Hawke’s Bay for the Vulnerable Children’s Workforce 2017-2020. Brown Bag Research Lunchtime Seminar presented at the Eastern Institute of Technology, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand.

Tipene-Leach, D. (2019, November 4). Understanding unconscious bias contributes to anti-racism and promotes equity. Opening presentation at Patient Safety Week, Hawke’s Bay DHB, Hastings, New Zealand.

Tipene-Leach, D. (2019, October 16). Kidney transplantation and inequity. Presented at Paetara o te Ora: Regional Transplant Hui, Hastings, New Zealand.

Tipene-Leach, D. C. (2019, August). Being colonised and being invisible in Central Hawkes Bay. Guest Speaker, CHB Settlers Museum AGM.

Tipene-Leach, D. C. (2019, November). In praise of the boil up: Getting beyond nutrition to pursue equitable Māori outcomes. Invited presentation to the Nutrition Society of New Zealand ASM.

Research outputs 2018

Manhire, K. M., Williams, S. M., Tipene-Leach, D., Baddock, S. A., Abel, S., Tangiora, A., . . . Taylor, B. J. (2018). Predictors of breastfeeding duration in a predominantly Māori population in New Zealand. BMC Pediatrics, 18(1), 1-10. doi:10.1186/s12887-018-1274-9

Rangihuna, D., Kopua, M., & Tipene-Leach, D. (2018). Mahi a Atua: A pathway forward for Māori mental health? New Zealand Medical Journal, 131(1471), 79-83.

Rangihuna, D., Kopua, M., & Tipene-Leach, D. (2018). Te Mahi a Atua. Journal of Primary Health Care, 10(1), 16-17. https://doi.org/10.1071/HC17076

Tipene‐Leach, D., Baddock, S. A., Williams, S. M., Tangiora, A., Jones, R., McElnay, C., & Taylor, B. J. (2018). The Pēpi‐Pod study: Overnight video, oximetry and thermal environment while using an in‐bed sleep device for sudden unexpected death in infancy prevention. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 54(6), 638-646. doi:10.1111/jpc.13845

McKelvie-Sebileau, P., Matthews, K. M., & Tipene-Leach, D. (2018). Ngātahi – Working as one: Data scoping report. Prepared for the Hawke’s Bay District Health Board.

Tipene-Leach, D. (2018, July). The wahakura project: Using tradition to effect change. Paper presented at the PRIDoC (Pacific Regional Indigenous Doctors) Conference, Hilo, Hawai’i.

Gabriel, B., Morris Matthews, K., Hiha, A., Bevin, M., Wills, R., & Tipene-Leach, D. (2018, July). The Ngātahi Vulnerable Children’s Workforce Development Programme in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand. Paper presented at the 3rd Biennial Childhood Trauma Conference, Melbourne, Australia.

Tipene-Leach, D. (2018, April). Mauri ora, whānau ora, wai ora: Achieving equitable outcomes. Paper presented at the National Rural Health Conference, Auckland, New Zealand.

Tipene-Leach, D. (2018, March). Nurturing the people of the land: Reducing SUDI in New Zealand. Paper presented at the Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand Annual Scientific Congress, Auckland, New Zealand.

Tipene-Leach, D. (2018, July). The wahakura lens and an update on cultural competence. Paper presented at the GP18 RNZCGP’s Conference for General Practice & Quality Symposium, Auckland, New Zealand.

Tipene-Leach, D. (2018, April 7). Achieving equity in SUDI: WAI 2499. Presented at the National Hui on Māori Health Issues, Īhenga Marae, Rotorua, New Zealand.

Tipene-Leach, D. (2018, March 7). The wahakura story: What next? Invited presentation at the Whānau Ora, Mokopuna Ora: Healthy Birth, Healthy Futures Symposium, Highbury Whānau Centre, Palmerston North, New Zealand.

Tipene-Leach, D. (2018, March 8). Achieving equity in ED. Invited presentation to the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine, Te Mānukanuka o Hoturoa Marae, Auckland, New Zealand.

Tipene-Leach, D. (2018, November 9). 30 years in 30 mins: How to do research and lead a busy Māori life. Presented at the Otago Polytechnic Māori Research Symposium, Dunedin, New Zealand.

Tipene-Leach, D. (2018, November 17). The wahakura story: What comes next? Presented at the Ngā Maia National Māori Midwives Conference, Pukemokimoki Marae, Napier, New Zealand.

Tipene-Leach, D. (2018, September 9). Cultural competence in context: An update. Invited presentation at the Health Hawke’s Bay (PHO) Primary Care Symposium, Napier, New Zealand.