Finding out how to prevent brain injury in premature babies is among over 50 research projects to be awarded a slice of $65.2 million of funding from the Health Research Council (HRC).
Professor Alistair Gunn from the University of Auckland will receive nearly $5m in funding for a five-year research programme, it's been announced on Thursday.
Prof Gunn's research will look at the impact of standard techniques for preventing brain injury in premature babies and evaluate new treatments to protect the brain after it's been deprived of oxygen, most often during a difficult birth.
Brain injury in premature babies is the cause of around half of all cases of cerebral palsy.
Other projects to receive funding include research to develop new technologies to increase physical activity in the workplace.
Dr Louise Foley, from the University of Auckland, will get an emerging researcher first grant of nearly $150,000 to look at ways to monitor an individual's activity at work and provide feedback on their behaviour via email or cellphone.
Meanwhile, Dr Claire McLintock from the Auckland District Board will get a similar grant to gather evidence on ways to improve care and outcomes for women with rheumatic fever and their babies.
The HRC awards funding annually to research being undertaken by universities, research institutes and district health boards into health issues that most heavily affect New Zealanders.
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