Implementation Science Aotearoa
Introducing our evidence-based implementation science tools for use in Aotearoa New Zealand. These tools are designed to ensure equity in every aspect of your organisation. The comprehensive Framework for Effective and Equitable Implementation in Aotearoa (FrEEIA) guides you through essential steps to foster equity when implementing interventions and services, providing a structured approach to meaningful change. Alongside this, our FrEEIA Readiness Assessment Tool empowers you to evaluate current practices and identify areas for improvement, making your organisation more equity-ready. Embrace the path to equitable outcomes with our expertly crafted framework and readiness assessment tool, and transform your organisation to help achieve equal outcomes for all.
Overview of the FrEEIA
The Framework for Effective and Equitable Implementation in Aotearoa (FrEEIA) is the result of a collaboration between Ōtakou Whakaihu Waka/University of Otago and Te Whatu Ora/Health New Zealand, with funding provided by the Healthier Lives National Science Challenge. Two implementation planning tools have been developed: the FrEEIA Framework for Effective and Equitable Implementation in Aotearoa and the FrEEIA Readiness Assessment Tool.
The Framework for Effective and Equitable Implementation in Aotearoa (FrEEIA)
Get started using the FrEEIA tools in your organisation today
Our Research team
Sue Crengle
(Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Waitaha)
Professor Hauora Māori
Sue is the Principle Investigator for the project.
Personal quote: “Ensuring the interventions are implemented equitably is essential to mitigate inequities in health outcomes. Implementation science can support the health system and health services to deliver interventions to all populations in Aotearoa New Zealand.”
Karen Bartholomew
(Pākeha)
Director, Health Equity
Public Health Physician
Karen is a co-investigator and Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora liaison for the project
Personal quote: “Implementation science offers a structured and evidence-based way to accelerate knowledge translation into the health sector. If we can include equity at every step of this process we can support the health system to deliver equitable interventions and implementation strategies. We hope that this research gives health professionals, practitioners and researchers tools to support equity action in practice.”
Mihi Ratima
(Whakatōhew, Ngāti Awa)
Director, Taumata Associates
Mihi provided input into the research from a kaupapa Māori perspective and contribute to the development and refinement of tools and user guides for the project.
Personal quote: “My research and other work is focused on supporting equity in health outcomes for Māori. Ensuring an evidence-based and equity-centred approach to the implementation of health interventions in Aotearoa New Zealand is essential in order to ensure that Māori achieve equitable health outcomes.”
Peter Carswell
(Pākeha)
Director, Impact4Good
Organisational Psychologist
Peter is a co-investigator, and brings expertise on implementation science.
Personal quote: “Evidence-based interventions will only have maximum impact on addressing inequities if they are implemented using approaches known to support equity."
Michelle Lambert
(Ngāti Kahungunu)
Research Fellow, Ngāi Tahu Māori Health Research Unit
Michelle is the Project Manager for the project.
Personal quote: “I am passionate about the importance of Implementation Science in healthcare planning. I believe that a well-designed implementation plan (with considers all contextual factors) for any intervention will achieve better overall results and improve outcomes for Māori and other priority populations.”
Papillon Gustafson
(Pākeha)
Postdoctoral Fellow, Ngāi Tahu Māori Health Research Unit
Papillon supported the development of the FrEEIA implementation framework and readiness assessment tool, and led manuscript preparation for several publications associated with the project.
Personal quote: “There are many health interventions that are known to be effective but because of inequities in implementation the benefits of these interventions are unequally realised by different population groups. Equitable implementation science ensures that equity is an explicit and intentional focus throughout implementation planning, delivery and evaluation processes.”
Lisa Kremer
(Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Waitaha)
Research Fellow, Ngāi Tahu Māori Health Research Unit. Pharmacist
Lisa is a research fellow and supported the development of the equity readiness assessment tool and website content associated with the project.
Personal quote: “Equitable implementation science activities are a valuable and important step health professionals and health researchers can take to contribute to achieving health equity for Māori. The collective impact of such activities will accelerate health system changes for the benefit of whānau Māori.”
Nina Veenstra
(Tangata Tiriti)
Researcher
Nina was primarily engaged with field testing the FrEEIA readiness assessment tool and preparing FrEEIA user guides.
Personal quote: “Research tells us that health inequities in Aotearoa are often created by differential access to and through health services. Implementation science can help those in the health sector to plan for and achieve equitable access to all health interventions, so working towards the goal of equal health outcomes for all. This is why I feel privileged to have worked on helping develop the FrEEIA implementation science tools.”
Our Governance Group
Matire Harwood
(Ngāpuhi)
Deputy Dean, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
General Practitioner
Matire provided a clinical trials, primary care and community lens to the project.
Personal quote: “Demonstrating the benefits of an interventions in research is not enough if the solution is not implemented equitably (if at all) in policy or practice. This research provides excellent direction to improve the uptake of evidence, whilst also supporting self-determined approaches to implementation science.”
Hector Kaiwai
(Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Maniapoto, Tūhoe)
Director Wai Rangahau
As a kaupapa Māori researcher, Hector's role in this project was to integrate Māori perspectives and principles into the project.
Personal quote: “As a kaupapa Māori researcher, I am deeply passionate about implementation science due to its potential to significantly advance equitable health outcomes. In my experience, Māori concepts, ideas, values, and principles are often misinterpreted and inadequately implemented when integrated into mainstream contexts. By embedding Māori perspectives and priorities into implementation science, we can ensure that interventions are culturally appropriate and responsive to the needs of our communities.”
This project was funded by
NOTE: The Healthier Lives National Science Challenge funded two research teams to look at implementation science. The other team developed the He Pikinga Waiora Framework. The HPW framework provides a clear roadmap and set of tools to guide the co-development and implementation of intervention(s) for chronic disease. Information about their research and links to the HPW tools can be found here
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