People » Centre for Public Health Research

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.

In August 2020, Riz was appointed Chair of the Lottery Health Research Committee.

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
Pulu-Lakai V, Tiatia-Sheath I, Borman B, Tupai-Firestone R. Investigating principles that underlie frameworks for Pacific health research using a co-design approach: learnings from a Tongan community based project. Pacific Health Dialogue, 2021; 21(7): 399-406.	Journal
Tupai-Firestone R, Faeamani G, Okiakiama E, Funaki T, Henry A, Prapavessis D, Filikitonga J, Firestone J, Tiatia-Sheath J, Matheson A, Brown B, Schleser M, Keawe‘aimoku Kaholokula J, Townsend Ing C, Borman B, Ellison-Loschmann L. Pasifika Prediabetes Youth Empowerment Programme: evaluating a co-designed community-based intervention from a participants’ perspective. Kōtuitui: New Zealand Journal of Social Sciences Online. 2021; 16: 210-224.	Journal
Tupai-Firestone R, Faeamani G, Okiakiama E, Funaki T, Henry A, Prapavessis D, Filikitonga J, Firestone J, Tiatia-Sheath J, Matheson A, Brown B, Schleser M, Keawe‘aimoku Kaholokula J, Townsend Ing C, Borman B, Ellison-Loschmann L. Pasifika Prediabetes Youth Empowerment Programme: learnings from a youth-led community-based intervention study. NZMJ, 2021; 134(1530): 57-68.	Journal
Tupai-Firestone R, Cheng S, Dalhousie S, Hughes E, Funaki T, Henry A, Vano M, Grey J, Schumacher J, Jull A, Whittaker R, Te Morenga L, Ni Mhurcha C. Exploring Pasifika wellbeing: findings from a large cluster randomised controlled trial of a mobile health intervention programme. NZMJ, 2020; 133(1524): 82-101.	Journal
Samoa R, Kaholokula K, Penaia C, Tupai-Firestone R, Fa’amoe-Timoteo E, Laelan M, Aitaoto N. COVID-19 and the State of Health of Pacific Islanders in the United States. AAPI Nexus: Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Policy, Practice & Community, 2020; 17(1&2).	Journal
Tupai-Firestone R, Matheson A, Firestone J, Schleser M, Yee E, Tuisano H, Kaholokula K, Ellison-Loschmann L. Developing principles of social change as a result of a Pasifika Youth Empowerment Programme: a qualitative study. Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 2020 (In Press).	Journal
Brooks C, Slater T, Tupai-Firestone R, Zock J, Pearce N, Douwes J. Respiratory health in professional cleaners: symptoms, lung function, and risk factors. Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2020; 50(5): 567-576.	Journal
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
Kindleysides S, Kruger R, Douwes J, Tannock G, Rennall N, Slater J, Lawley B, McGill A, Brennan N, Manukia M, Richter M, Tupai-Firestone R, Signal T, Gander P, Stannard S, Breier B, Cairncross C, Idrisov B. Predictors linking obesity and the gut microbiome (the PROMISE study): Protocol and recruitment strategy for a cross-sectional study on pathways that affect the gut microbiome and its impact on obesity. J MIR Res Protoc, 2019;8(8):e14529.	Journal
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Tupai-Firestone R. Circuit Breaker. Journal of Urgent Writing, 2016; 1: 98-108.	Journal
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
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
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
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
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
Tupai-Firestone R, Cheng S, Douwes J, Meletti F, Pizzi C, Pivetta E, Rusconi F, Richiardi L. Internet-based-birth-cohort studies: is this the future for epidemiology? JMIR Res Protoc. 2015;4(2):e71. 2015;4(2):e71.	Journal
Kruger R, Shultz S, McNaughton S, Russell A, Tupai-Firestone R, George L, Beck K, Conlon C, von Hurst P, Breier B, Jayasinghe S, O'Brien W, Jones B, Stonehouse W. Predictors and risks of body fat profiles in young New Zealand European, Maori and Pacific women: study protocol for the women's EXPLORE study. Springerplus, 2015; 4: 128.	Journal
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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

SEARCH PEOPLE WORKING AT CPHR

Ridvan (Riz) Tupai-Firestone

PUBLICATIONS

CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECTS

CONTACT