Ridvan (Riz) Tupai-Firestone
PhD
Dr Firestone is a Senior Researcher at CPHR. Her research involves investigations on social-cultural and health inequalities specifically among young Pasifika people with non-communicable diseases in NZ. She also has a wider focus in co-developing community-based interventions with Pasifika and Māori communities to: (i) tailor interventions to ensure the community’s’ needs are met and; (ii) ensure the interventions are relevant, and adaptable for long-term uptake by people within their communities.
Outside of academic life, she has a passion for empowering others in healthier lifestyles through her pro-hobby group fitness career at one of NZ’s largest gyms, teaching Group Power and Ride classes, where she enjoys meeting and establishing new connections with people (retired, professionals, young/mature students). Finally, she has three very active children who also keep her busy with their sports and cultural activities.
- Publications
- Current Research Projects
PUBLICATIONS
Publication | Type |
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Ni Mhurcha C, Te Morenga L, Tupai-Firestone R, Grey J, Jiang Y, Jull A, Whittaker R, Dobson R, Dalhousie S, Funaki T, Hughes E, Henry A, Lyndon-Tonga L, Pekepo C, Penetito-Hemara D, Tunks M, Verbiest M, Humphrey G, Goodwin D. A co-designed mHealth programme to support healthy lifestyles in Māori and Pasifika peoples in New Zealand (OL@-OR@): a cluster-randomised controlled trial. Lancet Digital Health, 2019; 1(6): e298–e307. | Journal |
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O'Brien W, Shultz S, Tupai-Firestone R, George L, Kruger R. Ethnic-specific physical activity suggestions based on existing recreational physical activity preferences of New Zealand women. ANZJPH, 2019; 43(5): 443-450. | Journal |
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Tupai-Firestone R, Cheng S, Kaholokula K, Borman B, Ellison-Loschmann L. Investigating differences in dietary patterns among a small cross-sectional study of young and old Pacific peoples in NZ using exploratory factor analysis: a feasibility study. BMJ Open, 2019; 9:e023126. | Journal |
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Verbiest M, Corrigan C, Dalhousie S, Tupai-Firestone R, Funaki T, Goodwin D, Grey J, Henry A, Humphrey G, Jull A, Vano M, Pekepo C, Te Morenga L, Whittaker R, Ni Mhurcha C. Using codesign to develop a culturally tailored, behaviour change mHealth intervention for indigenous and other priority communities: A case study in New Zealand. TBM, 2019; 9(4): 720-736. | Journal |
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Tupai-Firestone R, Funaki T, Dalhousie S, Henry A, Vano M, Grey J, Jull A, Whittaker R, Te Morenga L, Ni Mhurcha C. Identifying and overcoming barriers to healthier lives. Pacific Health Dialog, 2018; 21(2):54-66. | Journal |
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Verbiest M, Borrell S, Tupai-Firestone R, Funaki T, Goodwin D, Grey J, Henry A, Hughes E, Humpfrey G, Jiang Y, Jull A, Pekepo C, Schumacher J, Te Morenga L, Tunks M, Vano M, Whittaker R, Ni Murchu C. The effectiveness of a co-designed, culturally-tailored mHealth tool to support healthy lifestyles in Māori and Pasifika communities in New Zealand: Study protocol of a cluster-randomised controlled trial. JMIR Research Protocols,2018; 7(8):e10789. | Journal |
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Schleser M, Tupai-Firestone R. (2018) Pasifika youth and health perpectives: creative transformation through smartphone filmmaking and digital talanoa. Schleser M, Berry M (Eds): Mobile Story Making in an Age of Smartphones. Palgrave Macmillan: Switzerland. | Books and Chapters |
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Te Morenga L, Pekepo C, Corrigan C, Matoe L, Mules R, Goodwin D, Dymus J, Tunks M, Grey J, Humphrey G, Jull A, Whittaker R, Tupai-Firestone R, Ni Murchu C. Co-designing an mHealth tool in the New Zealand Māori community with a “Kaupapa Māori” approach. AlterNative, 2018; 14(1): 90-99. | Journal |
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Douwes J, Slater T, Shanthakumar M, McLean D, Tupai-Firestone R, Judd L, Pearce N. Determinants of hand dermatitis, urticaria and loss of skin barrier function in professional cleaners in New Zealand. Int J Occup Environ Health, 2017; 23:2. | Journal |
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Tupai-Firestone R, Matheson A, Prapavessis D, Hamara M, Kaholokula K, Tuisano H, Tevita G, Henderson J, Schleser M, Ellison-Loschmann L. Pasifika Youth Empowerment Programme: a potential public health approach in tackling obesity-health related issues. AlterNative: An International Journal of Indigenous Peoples.2018; 14(1): 63-72. | Journal |
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O'Brien W, Shultz S, Tupai-Firestone R, George L, Breier B, Kruger R. Exploring the challenges in obtaining physical activity data from women using hip-worn accelerometers. European Journal of Sport Science, 2017; 17(7): 922-930. | Journal |
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Schleser M, Tupai-Firestone R. (2016) (via Hangouts) Mobile Health 4 Pacific Youth. 6th MINA International Mobile Creativity and Mobile Innovation Symposium & Screening, 30 Nov – 2 Dec. Melbourne, Australia. | Conference Presentations |
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Tupai-Firestone R. Circuit Breaker. Journal of Urgent Writing, 2016; 1: 98-108. | Journal |
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Eyles R, Jull A, Dobson R, Tupai-Firestone R, Whittaker R, Te Morenga L, Goodwin D, Ni Mhurcha C. Co-design of mHealth Delivered Interventions: A Systematic Review to Assess Key Methods and Processes. Curr Nutr Rep, 2016; 5(3): 160-167. | Journal |
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Eng A, 't Mannetje A, McKenzie F, Jeffreys M, Tupai-Firestone R, Pearce N, Ellison-Loschmann L. (2016). Occupational risk factors for breast cancer: Findings from the New Zealand Breast Cancer Study. Global Cancer Occurrence, Causes, and Avenues to Prevention Conference (IARC), 7-10 June 2016, Lyon, France (Poster). | Conference Presentations |
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Tupai-Firestone R, Tuisano H, Manukia M, Kaholokula K, Foliaki S, Kingi T, Kruger R, Breier B, O'Connell A, Borman B, Ellison-Loschmann L. Understanding Pasifika youth and the obesogenic environment, Auckland and Wellington, New Zealand. NZ Med J, 2016; 129 (1434) 6879. | Journal |
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Howe L, Tupai-Firestone R, Tilling K, Lawlor D. (2015) Trajectories and transitions in childhood obesity. In: Burton-Jeangros C , Cullati S, Sacker A, Blane D. (Eds). A Life Course Perspective on Health Trajectories and Transitions. Springer. | Books and Chapters |
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Howe L, Ellison-Loschmann L, Pearce N, Douwes J, Jeffreys M, Tupai-Firestone R. Ethnic differences in early life risk factors for later obesity: a prospective cohort study in New Zealand. J Epidemiol Community Health, 2015; 69(6): 516-522. | Journal |
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Tupai-Firestone R, Matheson A, Borman B, Howe L, Ellison-Loschmann L. (2015) New Zealand, (Chapter 2). In Kennedy P, Kodate N (Eds). Maternity Services and Policy in an International Context. Taylor & Francis. | Books and Chapters |
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Bajardi P, Paolotti D, Vespignani A, Eames K, Funk S, Edmunds W, Turbelin C, Debin M, Colizza V, Smallenburg R, Koppeschaar C, Franzo A, Faustino V, Carnahan A, Rehn M, Merletti F, Douwes J, Tupai-Firestone R, Richiardi L. Association between Recruitment Methods and Attrition in Internet-Based Studies. Plos ONE, 2014; 9(12): e114925. | Journal |
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Tupai-Firestone R, Kaholokula K, Kingi T, Kruger R, Breier B, Borman B, Ellison-Loschmann L. (2014) Reflections from the 'Chewing the facts on fat: What does that say about me!' study. International Pacific Health Research Conference. 3-5 November, Auckland, NZ. | Conference Proceedings |
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McKenzie F, Ellison-Loschmann L, Jeffreys M, Tupai-Firestone R, Pearce N, Romieu I. Healthy lifestyle and risk of breast cancer: differential patterns for indigenous Māori and non-indigenous women in New Zealand. BMC Cancer, 2014; 14: 12. | Journal |
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McKenzie F,
Ellison-Loschmann L,
Jeffreys M,
Tupai-Firestone R,
Pearce N,
Romieu I.
Cigarette smoking and risk of breast cancer in a New Zealand multi-ethnic case-control study. PLOS One, 2013; 8(4): e63132. |
Journal |
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Jeffreys M,
McKenzie F,
Tupai-Firestone R,
Gray M,
Cheng S,
Moala A,
Pearce N,
Ellison-Loschmann L.
A multi-ethnic breast cancer case-control study in New Zealand: evidence of differential risk patterns. Cancer Causes Control, 2013; 24(1): 135-52. |
Journal |
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Tupai-Firestone R,
Ellison-Loschmann L,
Shelling A,
Ekeroma A,
Ikenasio-Thorpe B,
Pearce N,
Jeffreys M.
Ethnic differences in disease presentation of uterine cancer in New Zealand women. J Fam Plann Reprod Health Care, 2012; 38(4): 239-45. |
Journal |
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Douwes J, Slater T, McLean D, Pearce N, Judd L, Tupai-Firestone R, Dryson E, Walls C, Foliaki S, Harding E, Duckett H, Cheung K, Coenraads P, Shanthakumar M. (2012) Occupational dermatitis in New Zealand cleaners. Study report for the Department of Labour.Centre for Public Health Research (CPHR), Massey University, NZ. | Reports |
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Tupai-Firestone R, Gander P. Exploring knowledge and attitudes of taxi drivers with regard to obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome. NZ Med J, 2010; 123(1321): 24-33. | Journal |
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Tupai-Firestone R, Wong K, Ellison-Loschmann L, Pearce N, Jeffreys M. Characteristics of ovarian cancer in women residing in Aotearoa, New Zealand: 1993-2004. J Epidemiol Community Health, 2009; 63(10): 814-9. | Journal |
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CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECTS
The New Zealand Breast Cancer Study
Key words: Breast cancer, epidemiology, risk factors
Interventions to reduce pesticide exposure and associated ill health in pesticide exposed workers and family members
Key words: Pesticides, Health Effects, Occupational
Understanding the determinants of inequalities in breast cancer survival
Key words: Breast cancer, cancer control, cancer survival, health inequalities, ethnicity, socio-economic factors, rurality
Occupational asthma in New Zealand sawmill workers
Key words: Occupational health, epidemiology, respiratory disease, asthma, sawmill workers
Occupational dermatitis in New Zealand cleaners
Key words: Occupational health, epidemiology, skin disease, dermatitis, cleaners
The Early Life Factors Study of Childhood Diseases
Key words: Birth cohort, congenital malformations, infant deaths, obesity, respiratory disease, life style factors, socio-economic status, environmental exposures
Chewing the Facts on Fat: What does that say about me?
Key words: Obesity, Social-Cultural Perceptions, Pacific Health, Youth
Pacific Health and Obesity Research
Key words: Pacific health, obesity
Lifestyle, Health and Youth Empowerment Programme: encouraging Pasifika youth to tackle the root causes of obesity
Key words: Pacific health, youth, lifetsyle, obesity
Supporting Healthy Lifestyles: A Māori and Pasifika Approach (WellText)
Key words: mHealth (Mobile Health), Technology, Healthy Lifestyle, Weight Management
Environmental Health Indicators Programme
Key words: Environmental health
Interventions to reduce solvent exposure and associated ill health in collision-repair workers
Key words: Occupational health, neurotoxicity, epidemiology, solvents
Interventions to reduce silica and associated ill health in construction workers
Key words: Silica, construction workers, occupation, NZ
The Pasifika Prediabetes Youth Empowerment Programme (PPYEP)
Key words: Pasifika, youth, prediabetes, empowerment