What Makes Us Special?

Growing Up in New Zealand leads the way in international longitudinal studies by starting before the baby is born. Scientific evidence suggests that the time in the womb is important in determining how a child develops later on so mums in the study were asked questions in the last 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Once born, children are influenced by their family life and physical environment. Growing Up in New Zealand will give a comprehensive insight into the lives of our children - their health, education, cultural influences and community life. The study has a strong partnership with government agencies that will be able to use the research when making policies. The added value for decision-makers will come when the impact of these policies is measured amongst the Growing Up in New Zealand generation.

The study is also unique in that it includes fathers and partners. Both parents are asked about their views on issues such as breastfeeding, early childhood education and returning to work.

Important features of the study:

• Information on babies starts before their birth
• Dads or mums' partners included from before birth
• Ethnic diversity to represent all births in New Zealand
• Parents questioned face to face three times and twice by phone before their child turns two. This aims to fill gaps in knowledge about early child development
• Teamwork with policymakers to turn research into real change