Chance to look into the future

The Mātai team, interns and speakers presented over 46 science and community talks at the Mātai Medical Research Institute Image of the Future event last week. Picture by Liam Clayton

Gisborne people had a first-hand update on the latest technological advances in medical science from some of the finest scientific minds in New Zealand and overseas, at a two-day symposium last week .

The Image of the Future gathering, run by the Mātai Medical Research Institute, featured a wide range of talks and topics from 46 speakers from world-leading experts as well as Tairāwhiti locals.

It also provided a chance to showcase new MRI technology developed by the Gisborne-based Mātai team and their collaborators.

The Mātai team, interns and speakers, presented science and community talks.

Mātai Ngā Māngai Māori board member and kaumatua Taina Ngarimu opened the event with a mihi whakatau which included a kapa haka performance by Wainui Beach School.

“We also had wonderful speakers from the community,” said Mātai director of research Dr Samantha Holdsworth. They included George Reedy, who spoke on the future of Māori health; Reweti Ropiha, who provided insights into the work Tūranga Health is doing to overcome Covid-19 and cyclone challenges; Mr Oka Sanerivi about novel Pacific health models; and Krissy Mackintosh, who talked about the Hear4U work around suicide prevention.

“We feel honoured to have had so many exceptional speakers from our community, around the country, and from around the world join us in Tairāwhiti for this event, and we are incredibly grateful for all the organisations and individuals who have come together to talk on projects that are making a difference in our region.”

All the talks are available online, thanks to Rangai Studios, on the Mātai website and the Mātai YouTube channel www.youtube.com/@mataimedicalresearchinstitute