Our History
Through the ongoing generosity of our supporters, since our inception in 1961, the Health Research Foundation - Hawke’s Bay has invested $3 million in research.
The movement started when local branch members of the British Medical Association decided to call interested parties together to discuss the importance of medical research in New Zealand and whether it was feasible to carry out worthwhile research in Hawke’s Bay.
At the time, it was noted that doctors in the region, who had undertaken specialist training overseas had found, on returning home, a partial vacuum because of the lack of local research facilities.
The group agreed to find a way to make these facilities available in Hawke’s Bay and called for a public meeting. Over 100 people attended the meeting, and the Hawke’s Bay Medical Research Foundation was established, just four months later on March 16 1961.
On launching the funding appeal one of the founding members, Dr Sam Turner, called for public support:
"To help keep the country’s best medical brains from going overseas to take up research, and that the investment in research would repay the country many times over, through promoting health and preventing disease, or stopping it in its early stages."
The objective of the Foundation remains the same today:
"To promote, initiate and support research in all health related fields including medical and health education, knowledge and understanding."
Our Future
As the Health Research Foundation – Hawke’s Bay, we remain firmly rooted in our region while embracing a wider, more holistic view of health. Our new name reflects our commitment to addressing the physical, mental, and social wellbeing challenges unique to Hawke’s Bay — and to ensuring our communities benefit from the best research and innovation available.
We fund and support research that strengthens local health outcomes, while actively partnering with national and international experts whose insights can accelerate solutions locally. By connecting world‑class researchers with the needs of our region, we help bring new knowledge, new approaches, and new possibilities to the people of Hawke’s Bay.
Our future is one of collaboration, innovation, and impact — ensuring our region thrives through health research that makes a real difference.
Our Committee
Stanley Roper - President
Anita Jagroop-Dearing
Anita migrated to New Zealand after more than 20 years of medical research and academic success as a Senior Scientist at the major teaching hospital, University College London Hospital (Royal Free Campus, Lon) in UK. Her research interests are in the field of Medical Health and Wellbeing, and more specifically heart disease, blood platelets, stroke, diabetes and nutrition where she has published extensively. Anita currently works at Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT), where she is the Chair of the Health Research Committee.
Rob Leikis
Rob Is an endocrinologist at Hawke's Bay Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital. Rob grew up in the Hawkes Bay area, trained at Auckland Medical School. Worked in Waikato, Christchurch and Wales. Rob is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians. In addition to endocrinology specialty also works as a general physician for inpatient care and has been an investigator for a number of phase 2 and 3 pharmaceutical trials.
Rob is Married to a general practitioner and has 2 teenage sons. In spare time grows olives on a lifestyle block, enjoys cycling, skiing and attempting to keep up with sons activities.
Maria Pearson MPhEd, BPhEd (Otago); REPs Registered Exercise Specialist
Current owner of the Women's Fitness Studio in Hastings. She is a personal trainer, podcaster (Women's Health: Let's Talk on Radio Hawke's Bay),
Healthy Aging speaker, and has a broad research history.
Maria taught in the School of Nursing and the School of Recreation and Sport at EIT in Napier for seven years. She was involved in research projects at EIT, as well as undertaking research contracts at Massey University and the University of Otago. Maria gained medical writing and editing experience at Elion Medical Communications in Hawke's Bay.
An avid reader, Maria reads widely, exploring a range of authors and genres (fiction, novels, historical, autobiographies). Being physically active is a passion of hers as well as spreading the word of the benefits of staying active as we age.
Paul Hendy
Paul has predominantly worked as a general practitioner in Napier since 1984. His interests are in internal medicine, pain control and immune therapy for allergy. He works in crisis mental health for the DHB and has also spent time in medical work in the Kingdom of Tonga, Pune India, PNG as well as three six month periods under the NHS in England. He attempts to read widely in areas of research and aim to apply these findings to the practical aspects of medical practice. In his spare time enjoys running, tramping, trumpet and motorcycling.
Cath Kingston - Chair Health and Research Committee
Cath is the Operations Manager for the New Cultivar Innovation Portfolio at Plant & Food Research and has a focus on building and maintaining connections within the organisation and with commercial partners and collaborators. Besides horticulture, she has worked in Government science funding agency Foundation for Research, Science & Technology (now MBIE). She has been a Council member of the Health Research Foundation - Hawke's Bay for over 8 years and chairs the Health and Research Committee.
Michael Nes - Treasurer
Michael is a Partner of BDO Hawke’s Bay providing business advisory services for a wide range of clients. His specialist areas include medical professionals, investment trusts and private Superannuation Schemes.
Outside his professional life, Michael has a has a young family who enjoys spending time with, and a passion for photography.
Leonie Wallwork - Relations & Fundraising Manager