After a rigorous procurement process that kicked off in September last year, 15 projects have been selected to provide evidence that supports gambling harm prevention and reduction in New Zealand. These projects will form part of the research programme of the Strategy to Prevent and Minimise Gambling Harm 2022/23 to 2024/25 (Strategy).
The procurement process attracted interest from researchers across New Zealand and worldwide – with $3.3 million of funding available for this round of research (finishing June 2025).
Sonia Chen, Principal Research Advisor at the Ministry of Health, says the funded projects were of a high calibre and many projects would contribute to more than one of the research priorities outlined in the Strategy.
“We took a pragmatic approach to establishing the research programme under the current Strategy by procuring a suite of projects at the same time instead of a project-by-project approach. This maximises the time available for delivery and allows more flexibility for providers to respond to the priorities outlined in the Strategy.
“The outcome is an exciting mix of experienced and emerging researchers working together – which is essential for building our New Zealand gambling research capability. We are also seeing local gambling harm experts working in collaboration with international gambling harm researchers, bringing international experience to bear within our own unique setting in Aotearoa New Zealand,” says Ms Chen.
Many of the research project teams include people with lived experience of gambling harm and a diverse array of cultures and perspectives. This brings an important lens to the research design, process, and outcomes.
“It is also great to see the strong connection between researchers, gambling harm service providers, and families and communities with lived experience of gambling harm, which brings real life experience into research and enhances the opportunity to put our findings into action.”
A full list of the newly funded projects, as well as existing projects can be found on the Current research projects section.
