Research

The Neurological Foundation Platform Grant

The NZCPR was awarded one of the Neurological Foundation’s Platform Grant in November 2025. The funding will be used increase data coverage to 80% of the under-21 population living with CP in NZ; include MRI and genomic data, and support research into neurological, orthopaedic, and rehabilitation outcomes. It will enable NZ-led studies, attract international trials, and improve genetic screening, driving better care and understanding for Kiwis with cerebral palsy. The Investigator Team is led by Professor Susan Stott, Dr Gina O’Grady at Starship Children’s Health; and Professor Justin O’Sullivan at the Liggins Institute at the University of Auckland.

Are you interested in using the NZCPR research platform for your research project?

The NZCPR is committed to leading and supporting high‑quality research that reflects and responds to the priorities of people with CP. If you are a researcher and are interested in using the NZCPR platform for recruitment or data purposes, we strongly advise that you contact us on 021 224 2298 or nzcpregister@adhb.govt.nz to discuss your project ideas to see if we can support our project.

Your project will need NZCPR steering group committee approval as well as local/ national ethics approval (e.g. Health and Disability Ethics Committee ) as well as Te Toka Tumai Auckland Locality Approval before your project can start.

Please read the application guidelines and complete and email return the NZCPR Data Request form

For more information refer to the Researcher downloads

Parent or person with lived experience of CP and interested in participating in research?

Are you a parent or caregiver for a child aged 4-13 years, classified as GMFCS II, IV or V (click here for more details if you are unsure about which GMFCS level your child is) and live in the Auckland region?

You can participate in Cerebral Palsy Musculoskeletal Health Research project. The aim of this study is to improve understanding of how muscle and bone health changes over time and whether earlier identification of these problems can help guide timely treatment and better outcomes for children with CP in the future. This study takes place at the Liggins Institute at the University of Auckland over 4 years, with one appointment each year.

You can download the information about the project below or email: Msk.study@auckland.ac.nz

CP Genetics Study.

This study aims to help uncover the genetic causes of CP in Aotearoa New Zealand using advanced whole genome sequencing. Each participant and their parents will be asked to contribute clinical data and blood samples and will receive the support of a genetic councillor throughout the study. For more information you can watch the “Breaking new ground: Genetics research and CP” webinar here or email CPgenes@auckland.ac.nz.

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Publications and research projects

A. Sorhage, C. Agnew, A. M. Blackmore, A. H. Mackey, J. Haszard, and N. S. Stott

Difficulty in Keeping Teeth Clean and Its Impact on Oral Health in Cerebral Palsy: Evidence From a New Zealand Cohort

International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry (2026): 1–9,

Battin MR, Mulqueeny A, Mackey A, Sorhage A, Alzaher W, Stott N.

Cerebral Palsy Associated With Neonatal Encephalopathy: Review of Te Rēhita a Hōkai Nukurangi Aotearoa-The New Zealand Cerebral Palsy Register (NZCPR) Data.

J Paediatr Child Health. 2025 Sep 3.

Sorhage, A., Blackmore, A. M., Byrnes, C. A., Agnew, C., Webster, E. F. M., Mackey, A., Chong, J., Hill, T. M., Han, D. Y., & Stott, N. S.

Eating and drinking abilities and respiratory and oral health in children and young adults with cerebral palsy.

Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology.

Sorhage A, Stott NS.

Hip surveillance in cerebral palsy: Review of clinical practice in a tertiary children's hospital using electronic health record linkage.

J Paediatr Child Health. 2025 Jan;61(1):94-99.

Sorhage, A., Keenan, S., Chong, J., Byrnes, C., Blackmore, A. M., Mackey, A., Hill, T., Han, D. Y., & Stott, N. S.

Respiratory Health Inequities among Children and Young Adults with Cerebral Palsy in Aotearoa New Zealand: A Data Linkage Study.

(2022) Journal of clinical medicine, 11(23), 6968.

Sorhage A; Stott S.

Utility of data linkage for orthopaedic service planning in the paediatric population with cerebral palsy at Starship Hospital.

The New Zealand Medical Journal. 2022 Aug;135(1559):85-94. PMID: 35999784.

Wright, K., Tapera, R.M., Stott, N.S., Sorhage, A., Mackey, A., Williams, S.

Indigenous health equity in health register ascertainment and data quality: a narrative review.

Int J Equity Health 21, 34 (2022).

Wright K; Dehar A; Stott S; Mackey A; Sorhage A; Tapera R; Williams S.

Prioritizing indigenous health equity in health registers: an environmental scan of strategies for equitable ascertainment and quality data

Glob Health Res Policy 7, 24 (2022)

Battin MR, Williams SA, Mackey A, Alzaher W, Sorhage A, Stott NS.

Neonatal Neuroimaging in Neonatal Intensive Care Graduates Who Subsequently Develop Cerebral Palsy.

Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2022; 11(7):1866.

Williams, S.A., Mackey, A., Sorhage, A., Battin, M., Wilson, N., Spittle, A. and Stott, N.S.

Clinical practice of health professionals working in early detection for infants with or at risk of cerebral palsy across New Zealand

J Paediatr Child Health. 2021 57: 541-547.

Williams SA, Alzaher W, Mackey A, Hogan A, Battin M, Sorhage A, Stott NS.

It Should Have Been Given Sooner, and We Should Not Have to Fight for It

A Mixed-Methods Study of the Experience of Diagnosis and Early Management of Cerebral Palsy.

Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2021; 10(7):1398