Message from the Director

Susan Morton, Study Director

Like a parent awaiting the birth of a child, I experienced expectation, joy and a sense of a new beginning as the first Growing Up in New Zealand results came in.

The information from families before their babies were born clearly paints a picture of a changing New Zealand. The Growing Up babies are starting life in a culturally diverse nation and in a variety of family groups.

Other countries have their own 'Growing Up' studies to track changes in population and gather information about the lives of their children. But growing up in Australia, Ireland or Scotland is not the same as in New Zealand which is why we launched our own unique research.

There are many wonderful things about growing up in New Zealand but there are also some negative things such as poorer health and school achievement among Māori and Pacific children and those from impoverished families. New Zealand needs its own study to understand and remedy these inequalities.

I am excited by the breadth and depth of knowledge that Growing Up offers. In the years to come I believe New Zealanders will be enormously grateful for the taonga created by this study.