Auckland Medical Research Foundation

Auckland Medical Research Foundation Funding Progress | since 1955

The Auckland Medical Research Foundation funds the best people to do the best research, to have the best health outcomes for all New Zealanders across the spectrum of health sciences – cancer, bone and joint health, heart disease, hearing and tinnitus, diabetes, brain diseases and more.

We join many tributes across Aotearoa and globally honouring the life of Professor Alistair Gunn.Prof Gunn’s research le...
14/05/2026

We join many tributes across Aotearoa and globally honouring the life of Professor Alistair Gunn.

Prof Gunn’s research led to the development of therapeutic hypothermia (brain cooling after oxygen deprivation): a simple, safe and globally adopted treatment protecting newborn babies’ brains after oxygen deprivation at birth. His work continues to save countless lives and enable millions of children to grow and thrive without disability.

For us at AMRF, this legacy is deeply personal. Prof Gunn acknowledged our early support helping his team develop the first cooling machines and undertake the critical studies making this breakthrough possible. Those studies established how and when cooling could protect the newborn brain, laying the foundation for international clinical trials that followed and for a treatment now used internationally.

He once described therapeutic hypothermia as “an overnight success, after 20 years of preclinical research”—a reflection of his persistence, scientific rigour, and commitment to improving outcomes for babies and their families.

Behind his extraordinary impact was scientific brilliance, and a deeply human presence. He is remembered by colleagues globally as kind, generous, quietly determined, endlessly curious. He was known as a mentor who gave his time freely, a collaborator who lifted others, and a person whose warmth was felt in every interaction.

Tributes shared across the global research and clinical community speak to a life defined not just by achievement, but by character. He was known to be a brilliant colleague, an outstanding researcher and human being, humble and supportive, and someone whose work profoundly improved the life chances of so many. Others recall his encouragement of early-career researchers, his thoughtful questions, and genuine care he showed to those around him.

His legacy continues in clinicians who carry forward his work, researchers he inspired, and families whose lives are forever changed because of his dedication.

Congratulations to AMRF‑supported doctoral student Xin Yi Lim on her recent publication. Her work has already been acces...
05/05/2026

Congratulations to AMRF‑supported doctoral student Xin Yi Lim on her recent publication. Her work has already been accessed more than 300 times in its first week, highlighting strong international interest in her important research.

Xin Yi’s study explores safety monitoring for medicines‑related problems associated with natural health products, and the different steps countries take to safeguard public health.

Donor support enables researchers like Xin Yi to generate evidence that strengthens medicine safety and informs better health policy worldwide.

Read more here:

Background Pharmacovigilance is the science and practice of safety monitoring for medicines-related problems; it is also applicable to a broader scope of health products, including natural health products (NHPs). The NHPs industry is a key stakeholder in pharmacovigilance for NHPs, but academic revi...

Asthma affects one in eight New Zealanders — and for Māori and Pacific communities, the risk is even higher. With suppor...
04/05/2026

Asthma affects one in eight New Zealanders — and for Māori and Pacific communities, the risk is even higher.

With support from the Auckland Medical Research Foundation, Associate Professor Amy Chan is leading innovative research using smartwatch data to predict asthma attacks before they happen.

Amy's work could revolutionise asthma care by giving people early warnings — 'like a smoke alarm for their lungs' — and give them the chance to act before an attack becomes life‑threatening.

This is the power of backing researchers with ideas that challenge the status quo.

This Asthma Awareness Week, watch Amy explain the research and why it matters:
https://www.medicalresearch.org.nz/post/digital-markers-in-asthma-harnessing-technology-for-asthma-attack-prediction

Explore how digital markers in asthma can predict an asthma attack before it happens. Learn how technology can transform asthma attack management.

"I hope that people and families living with motor neurone disease see my work and that it gives them hope."AMRF Career ...
07/04/2026

"I hope that people and families living with motor neurone disease see my work and that it gives them hope."

AMRF Career Advancement Fellow Dr Molly Swanson is investigating microglia cells, an often overlooked part of the brain’s immune system. In motor neurone disease, these normally protective cells can switch into a harmful state that accelerates nerve cell death.

Molly’s research asks: can these cells be reprogrammed to protect the brain again? Using advanced tools like CRISPR gene editing and human brain tissue, her team is identifying the genetic switches behind this damaging transformation and testing how to turn them off.

Today on World Health Day 2026, Molly’s work highlights why long‑term investment in researchers matters. 'Science powers health' through building evidence and creating pathways to future treatment and every gift to AMRF helps fund that progress.

Read more about Molly’s research and what drives her work.

When Dr Molly Swanson’s son was less than a week old, she learnt he had a rare genetic disorder that affects only two people in New Zealand.

This World Autism Awareness Day, we’re highlighting the potential of researcher‑led work to change outcomes early in lif...
01/04/2026

This World Autism Awareness Day, we’re highlighting the potential of researcher‑led work to change outcomes early in life.

Dr Alice McDouall, our inaugural First Fellowship Postdoctoral Fellow, is investigating a promising treatment for mild hypoxic ischaemic brain injury at birth, a condition linked to lifelong outcomes including autism, epilepsy and learning difficulties.

Her research is exploring whether an existing drug could prevent brain injury progression if used at the right time and holds the potential to inform future clinical trials and promise for a targeted treatment for infants with mild hypoxia ischemic injury.

This is the power of backing researchers early. Read more about Alice's work here and donate securely on our website to help support researchers with the potential to improve lives across a lifetime.

https://www.medicalresearch.org.nz/post/newsletter-amrfs-impact-in-2025

We're hiring!Finance Manager (Permanent, Part Time)Auckland Medical Research Foundation (AMRF) + Maurice & Paykel Trusts...
01/03/2026

We're hiring!

Finance Manager (Permanent, Part Time)
Auckland Medical Research Foundation (AMRF) + Maurice & Paykel Trusts (MPPT, MPCT)

AMRF: 15 hours per week (Mon & Wed) – Grafton, Auckland
MPPT/MPCT: ~25 hours per month (up to 300 hours per year)
NOTE: If a candidate would prefer to work for only one of the organisations with the hours outlined, this will be considered.

The Auckland Medical Research Foundation (AMRF) and the Maurice Paykel Trusts, including the Maurice and Phyllis Paykel Trust (MPPT) and the Maurice Paykel Charitable Trust (MPCT) are trusted and long standing charitable organisations dedicated to funding world class medical research and Charitable organisations.

For more than seven decades, AMRF has funded progress, supporting medical researchers whose discoveries improve lives, drive innovation, and strengthen our research community.

Since 1973, MPPT has been funding health-related research and MPCT has been funding charitable organisations across New Zealand.

Both organisations are in the same office space and are partnering to offer a shared Finance Manager role, providing efficient use of specialist expertise across the charitable sector.

This role will be employed separately by each organisation, with:
• A 15 hour per week permanent part time role with AMRF with 40 additional hours required in late Jan/Feb annually for year-end financial statement preparation and audit, and
• A separate part time contract with MPPT/MPCT for approximately 25 hours per month, up to 300 hours per year.

The work is similar for both organisations — covering day to day financial operations through to year end reporting. You will have separate responsibilities, reporting lines, and contracts for each role.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced finance manager seeking stability, purpose, and flexibility and one who loves being part of a small, close-knit team.

About the AMRF Role (15 hours per week with 40 additional hours required in late Jan/Feb annually)

AMRF funds world class medical research that improves the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders. You’ll join our small, collaborative team based in Grafton.

Key Responsibilities – AMRF
• Manage daily financial operations, including payroll, invoices, payments, GST returns, and reconciliations
• Budget preparation in conjunction with the Executive Director
• Prepare management accounts and financial reports
• Provide quarterly (or as required) financial statements for board papers and attend board meetings
• Maintain accurate financial records for research grants and liaise with host institutions
• Prepare investment reports and liaise with external fund managers
• Calculate annual investment returns and determine distributable income for research funding and present to donors in conjunction with the Executive Director
• Prepare year end financial statements in accordance with Tier 2 PBE standards (40 additional hours)
• Coordinate and support the audit processes
• Ensure IRD, Charities Commission, and other external compliance requirements are met
• Maintain strong internal controls and contribute to efficient financial processes.

You will report directly to the AMRF Executive Director although as a small team, you will be expected to develop strong relationships with the team, the Board and our stakeholders.

About the MPPT Role (~25 hours per month, up to 300 hours per year)
The Maurice & Phyllis Paykel Trust supports medical and health related research through grants and philanthropic investment.

Key Responsibilities – MPPT/MPCT
• Management of all day to day accounting functions
• Manage day-to-day bookkeeping functions (currently using MYOB), ensuring accounts are current, reconciled, and accurately maintained.
• Online banking setup and oversight within delegated authorities
• Cashflow, income, and investment monitoring
• Grants and Trust administration
• Budget preparation and comparative reporting
• Board and management reporting
• Statutory returns (IRD, Charities Services)
• Preparation of annual financial statements and audit coordination
• Development and maintenance of internal controls

For MPPT/MPCT, you will report to their Executive Director, independent of your AMRF reporting line.

About You
You will bring:
• A minimum of a tertiary qualification in accounting or finance
• Proven financial management experience (NFP sector an advantage)
• Experience with investment portfolios and/or SIPO frameworks
• Strong understanding of application of Accounting Standards issued by the XRB
• High proficiency in MYOB, Xero, Excel, and MS Office and ability to learn unique software systems
• Excellent accuracy, judgement, and professionalism
• Ability to work independently across two organisations, while building strong working relationships with each
• A proactive, ethical, and highly organised approach to your work with a team orientation.

This role suits someone who values autonomy and meaningful work — and enjoys working with small teams who are both collegial and collaborative.

Why This Role Is Special
• Support two highly respected medical research charities plus a broader charitable entity
• Work with purpose and impact
• Enjoy a balanced and flexible part time structure
• Maintain clear boundaries through separate employment agreements
• Use your skills to strengthen the financial stewardship of donor funded research across New Zealand

How to Apply
Please apply via Seek: https://www.seek.co.nz/job/90601145

Applications close Friday 13 March 2026 at 5pm.

Bring your finance skills to two respected charities, where you’ll enjoy purposeful work, flexibility, and a key role in a close-knit, supportive team

POTS Awareness Day is the first event of its kind in Aotearoa New Zealand, facilitating direct connection between patien...
25/02/2026

POTS Awareness Day is the first event of its kind in Aotearoa New Zealand, facilitating direct connection between patient communities and healthcare professionals to improve and increase POTS education and awareness in New Zealand.

The programme is now out and will offer a wide variety of interesting speakers and perspectives. Mark your calendar for 7 March.

It's fully subscribed for in person attendance so the organisers have opened up online registration. Click here to register and ensure you don't miss out: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=lW6z0VAN6UKVj7Y_qQa-qqbRA3qc8_xEuIdeBtCX1itUN0ZERVM4SUxKV0czVDA3WllJVTc0NUxUSy4u

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PO Box 110139
Auckland
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