The internationally renowned studies have been running for more than half a century, collectively publishing about 2000 reports that have informed policies worldwide, including in early childhood education, reducing poverty and injury prevention.
The new University of Otago Life Course Study, which puts the studies under one umbrella, was recently granted about $2 million per annum for the next seven years from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s strategic science investment fund to help both organisations continue their research.
The funding recognises the work of both studies which have provided long-term health, economic and societal benefits in New Zealand.
Dunedin Study director Prof Moana Theodore said it meant the studies no longer had to worry so much about finding funding to keep the research going, and gave them more time to focus on the research itself.
"We’re really grateful to MBIE for this because it’s a signal that these long-term studies are important."
She said constantly searching for funding for the studies was time-consuming and challenging, and there had always been a risk that one or both of the studies could close.
"We would definitely fall over without funding from the New Zealand system. We need funding to survive.
"This funding provides long-term stability for the studies — it provides us with security.
"It enables us to do world-leading science in a range of areas."
Prof Theodore said the funding would allow the two studies to continue working independently, but also work more collaboratively.
"We already work together. We’ve written a number of research reports and have undertaken research together in a range of areas previously, and that is our intention moving forward as well.
"It may enable us to scientifically combine data in areas where we both have similar data, but each study has their own research strengths as well.
"We want to keep the strength of both studies, but we want to work more collaboratively where we can."
The Dunedin Study is New Zealand’s longest-running longitudinal study and is considered the world’s most detailed study of human health and development.
It follows the lives of 1037 babies born in Dunedin between April 1, 1972 and March 31, 1973.
The Christchurch study follows the health, education and life progress of 1265 babies born in the Christchurch urban region in mid-1977.
The Otago Life Course Study programme is a set of processes and systems designed to protect the valuable data gathered by the studies over several decades, like a national park that is filled with rich and diverse treasures that are nurtured to be enjoyed by future generations.
Christchurch Study director Associate Prof James Foulds said the study members, their families and their local communities had committed their time, trust and data to these studies for decades.
"This funding is a recognition of that contribution and will allow us to make the most of the information that has been gifted to us.
"It will bring the two studies closer and will ensure they remain seen as leaders in lifecourse research internationally."
