About the Network
The New Zealand interRAI Research Network provides a platform for researchers, clinicians, and anyone interested in using interRAI data to form relationships and collaborate on research. The ultimate goal of the network is to use interRAI data to equitably improve clinical care, and personal experience, service development and quality improvement.
The Network meets bi-monthly to present and discuss different research topics. If you wish to be part of this network, email interRAI@tas.health.nz with "interRAI Research Network" in the subject line.
interRAI Research Network Terms of Reference (PDF, 139KB)
Information for researchers: ethics and funding applications (PDF, 180KB)
- Dr Kebede Beyene
- Dr Amy Chan
- Dr Gary Cheung (Network chair)
- Associate Professor Sarah Cullum
- Dr Joanna Hikaka
- Dr Etuini Ma'u
- Dr Sue McDonnell
- Dr Kathy Peri
- Cristian Gonzalez Prieto
- Dr Claudia Riviera Rodriguez
- Dr Brigid Ryan
- Dr Ryan San Diego
- Dr Ruth Teh.
- Professor Fiona Alpass
- Dr Karen Mumme
- Dr Rosie Gibson
- Dr Anja Roemer
- Professor Carol Wham.
- Rebecca Abey-Nesbit
- Ulrich Bergler
- Associate Professor Hamish Jamieson
- Dr Francesc March de Ribot
- Dr Xaviour Walker
- Professor Debra Waters.
- Katherine Bloomfield
- Jacqueline Broadbent
- Raenna Chan
- Karen Goymour
- Gabrielle Stent
- Dr Kathleen Potter - Ryman Healthcare
- Dr Joanna MacFarlane.
- Dr Brigette Meehan
- Dr Gary Cheung
- Associate Professor Hamish Jamieson
- Dr Joanna Hikaka
interRAI Knowledge Exchange
The annual interRAI Knowledge Exchange is a one-day event, hosted by interRAI New Zealand and the interRAI Research Network. It provides an opportunity for experienced and emergent researchers to present research using interRAI data. The day provides opportunity for discussion and guidance on research project progress.
The Knowledge Exchange is held in-person and online, enabling participants to hear about research in their areas of interest.
Both academic and health sector attendees from previous Knowledge Exchange days, have provided very positive feedback.
Past attendees have been, but not limited to the following groups.
- Researchers
- interRAI Research Network
- Clinicians and health planners
- National Science Challenge
- Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora
- Aged Residential Care Sector
- Home and community services
- Ministry of Health | Manatū Hauora
5th interRAI Research Network Knowledge Exchange 2025
Pictured above: 2025 Emerging Researcher Wei-Lin Chen with Margaret Milne - GM interRAI Services and Dr Gary Cheung - Chair interRAI Research Network.
A huge thanks to everyone who joined both online and in-person for this year’s interRAI Research Network Knowledge Exchange. The theme for this year’s conference was Mental Health and Wellbeing, with 15 presenters using interRAI data to share insights into topics ranging from aged care medication management to machine learning’s role in dementia risk identification. We also celebrated a huge milestone: 20 years since interRAI assessments were first piloted in New Zealand.
Each year, an Emerging Researcher Award is presented to a young researcher who utilises interRAI data in their work. This year’s recipient, Wei-Lin Chen from Auckland University of Technology (AUT), explored the effects of aged residential care subsidies in his presentation ‘Unpacking Health Trajectories in Aged Care: The Role of Initial Health and Financial Pressure’. His research uses interRAI LTCF assessment data and Ministry of Social Development (MSD) data to explore how residents’ initial health status and financial circumstances affect their health trajectories.
The 5th interRAI Knowledge Exchange was held on 10 February 2025 at 69 Tory St, Te Aro, Wellington. You can watch recordings of the presentations below or by clicking here.
interRAI New Zealand, in conjunction with the interRAI research network recently held the 4th annual knowledge exchange on 15th March 2024. The theme Using interRAI Data to Inform Health and Social Policy showcased the broad use of interRAI data with 15 presentations. These were from health researchers, clinicians, NASCA, project working groups and Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora.
Pictured above: Some of the interRAI Knowledge Exchange Presenters
This hybrid meeting hosted over 180 people from several backgrounds including clinical management, needs assessors, aged residential care providers, researchers, policy advisors, data scientists, regulatory bodies such as HDC and NZACA. Attendees were not only from New Zealand but also from Australia, Singapore and Malaysia.
Initial feedback was that people found the day very rewarding, with many connections made.
It was also an opportunity to acknowledge this year's emerging interRAI researcher, Julie Daltrey. Julie is a part-time Professional Teaching Fellow at the University of Auckland in the School of Nursing. She completed her master's degree as a mature student and the paper she presented is part of her PhD programme, looking at clinical indicators of acute deterioration in morbidity and mortality in the residential care population.
Julie Daltrey and Margaret Milne, Group Manager interRAI Services
Watch recordings of each presentation below or by clicking here.
The theme for 2023's Knowledge Exchange was Equity, with presentations from both ISD committee members and local academics working with interRAI data.
Pictured above: Presenters from the first Knowledge Exchange.
The first Knowledge Exchange arose from a discussion about the interRAI database and how researchers may be looking for topics on health of older people to explore, while others in the sector may have topics but not the resources or expertise to explore them. We decided to bring everyone together on 4 March 2020.
The forum was chaired by Dr Brigette Meehan from TAS and Dr Gary Cheung from the University of Auckland and facilitated by Warwick Long from TAS.
Attendees included researchers, DHB leaders and providers, plus representatives from Ministry of Health, Health Quality Safety Commission, Age Concern, Statistics New Zealand and TAS.
Presentations from the Knowledge Exchange Forum are available below.
Michelle Liu, TAS - Data visualisation
Dr Hamish Jamieson, University of Otago - Improving Ageing with Big Data
Ross Judge, Ministry of Health - Initiatives using interRAI data
Simone Newsham, Nelson-Marlborough Health - Practical Applications for the DIVERT Scale
Dr Gary Cheung, University of Auckland - Promoting International Collaboration Through Data Sharing
Heather McLeod, Heather McLeod & Associates Ltd - Trajectories of care at the end of life