Basil leaves with number 200 in white

The He Rourou Whai Painga team reached a significant milestone in February – recruiting their 200th and final participant into the study.

Research teams at the study’s four centres, University of Auckland, University of Otago in Christchurch, Centre for Endocrine, Diabetes and Obesity Research in Wellington and Kokiri Marae in Lower Hutt, have screened and assessed the 200 participants and their whānau since the study launched in July 2022.

The ambitious study is testing whether a dietary pattern rich in fruit, vegetables, seafood, grains, nuts and seeds, with some meat and dairy, comprising mostly locally produced foods that reflect our unique environment can improve the health of whānau and communities. More than 30 New Zealand food and beverages producers have partnered with the study.