Red X iconGreen tick iconYellow tick icon

Contact Details

Email
esther.willing@otago.ac.nz
Position
Associate Professor
Iwi affiliation
Whakapapa to Ngāti Toarangatira, Ngāti Koata, Ngā Ruahine.
Qualifications
BHSc PGDipPH MPH PhD
Research summary
Māori Health, Health Policy and Health Services Research
Teaching
  • Convenor for the Hauora Māori vertical module within the Early Learning in Medicine curriculum
  • Convenor for MAOH201 Hauora Māori in Practice: Working with Individuals
Memberships
  • Health Services Research and Policy Association of Australia and New Zealand
  • International Public Policy Association

Research

Dr Esther Willing is an Associate Professor in Hauora Māori and her research focuses on the way in which health policy and the health system can improve Māori health outcomes in Aotearoa New Zealand.

She is involved in HRC funded projects on improving maternal vaccination uptake and coverage with a focus on addressing inequities for hapu māmā and improving oral health outcomes for Māori.

Publications

Hobbs, M., Marek, L., Young, A., Willing, E., Dawson, P., & McIntyre, P. (2023). Examining spatial variation for immunisation coverage in pregnant women: A nationwide and geospatial retrospective cohort study in Aotearoa New Zealand. Social Science & Medicine, 335, 116228. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.116228

Curtis, E., Jones, R., Willing, E., Anderson, A., Paine, S.-J., Herbert, S., … Reid, P. (2023). Indigenous adaptation of a model for understanding the determinants of ethnic health inequities [Review]. Discover Social Science & Health, 3, 10. doi: 10.1007/s44155-023-00040-6

Young, A., Willing, E., Gauld, N., Dawson, P., Charania, N. A., Norris, P., & Turner, N. (2023). Midwives' perceptions of enablers and barriers to pertussis and influenza vaccination in pregnancy and information sharing. New Zealand College of Midwives Journal, 59, 29-38. doi: 10.12784/nzcomjnl59.2023.4.29-38

Macredie, F., Willing, E., Dawson, P., Howe, A., & Young, A. (2023). Interventions to improve vaccine coverage of pregnant women in Aotearoa New Zealand. Journal of Primary Health Care, 15(3), 230-237. doi: 10.1071/HC23041

Hobbs, M., Young, A., Turner, N., Dawson, P., Willing, E., McIntyre, P., & McIntosh, C. G. (2023). A new national health system: The opportunity to address data quality issues in maternal immunisation coverage. New Zealand Medical Journal/Te ara tika o te hauora hapori, 136(1578), 94-99. Retrieved from https://journal.nzma.org.nz/

Willing, E. (2017). Hitting the target without missing the point: New Zealand’s immunisation health target for two year olds. In P. Henman & A. Gable (Eds.), Performing the state: Critical encounters with performance measurement in social and public policy. (pp. 37-52). Routledge.

Chapter in Book - Research

Curtis, E., Jones, R., Willing, E., Anderson, A., Paine, S.-J., Herbert, S., … Reid, P. (2023). Indigenous adaptation of a model for understanding the determinants of ethnic health inequities [Review]. Discover Social Science & Health, 3, 10. doi: 10.1007/s44155-023-00040-6

Journal - Research Article

Dowell, A., Turner, N., Watson, D., Wharemate, R., Willing, E., & Nowlan, M. (2023). He Pou Whirinaki (pillars of support): Elder indigenous New Zealand Māori narratives about influenza immunisation and the use of telehealth during the first COVID-19 lockdown. Kōtuitui, 18(1), 85-95. doi: 10.1080/1177083X.2022.2082988

Journal - Research Article

Hobbs, M., Marek, L., Young, A., Willing, E., Dawson, P., & McIntyre, P. (2023). Examining spatial variation for immunisation coverage in pregnant women: A nationwide and geospatial retrospective cohort study in Aotearoa New Zealand. Social Science & Medicine, 335, 116228. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.116228

Journal - Research Article

Hobbs, M., Young, A., Turner, N., Dawson, P., Willing, E., McIntyre, P., & McIntosh, C. G. (2023). A new national health system: The opportunity to address data quality issues in maternal immunisation coverage. New Zealand Medical Journal/Te ara tika o te hauora hapori, 136(1578), 94-99. Retrieved from https://journal.nzma.org.nz/

Journal - Research Article

Macredie, F., Willing, E., Dawson, P., Howe, A., & Young, A. (2023). Interventions to improve vaccine coverage of pregnant women in Aotearoa New Zealand. Journal of Primary Health Care, 15(3), 230-237. doi: 10.1071/HC23041

Journal - Research Article

Tenbensel, T., Cumming, J., & Willing, E. (2023). The 2022 restructure of Aotearoa New Zealand's health system: Will it succeed in advancing equity where others have failed? Health Policy, 134, 104828. doi: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2023.104828

Journal - Research Article

Young, A., Charania, N. A., Gauld, N., Norris, P., Turner, N., & Willing, E. (2023). Informing women about maternal vaccination in Aotearoa New Zealand: is it effective? Midwifery, 120, 103636. doi: 10.1016/j.midw.2023.103636

Journal - Research Article

Young, A., Willing, E., Gauld, N., Dawson, P., Charania, N. A., Norris, P., & Turner, N. (2023). Midwives' perceptions of enablers and barriers to pertussis and influenza vaccination in pregnancy and information sharing. New Zealand College of Midwives Journal, 59, 29-38. doi: 10.12784/nzcomjnl59.2023.4.29-38

Journal - Research Article

Cave, T. L., Derraik, J. G. B., Willing, E. J., Hofman, P. L., & Anderson, Y. C. (2022). Caregiver survey of preschool children with obesity referred to Whānau Pakari: A multidisciplinary healthy lifestyle intervention programme. New Zealand Medical Journal, 135(1553), 27-34. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Journal - Research Article

Cave, T. L., Derraik, J. G. B., Willing, E. J., Maessen, S. E., Hofman, P. L., & Anderson, Y. C. (2022). Changes in referral patterns for weight in association with the preschool Raising Healthy Kids target. Journal of Primary Health Care, 14(4), 310-317. doi: 10.1071/HC22076

Journal - Research Article

Pointon, L., Howe, A. S., Hobbs, M., Paynter, J., Gauld, N., Turner, N., & Willing, E. (2022). Evidence of suboptimal maternal vaccination coverage in pregnant New Zealand women and increasing inequity over time: A nationwide retrospective cohort study. Vaccine, 40, 2150-2160. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.02.079

Journal - Research Article

Reid, P., Paine, S.-J., Te Ao, B., Willing, E. J., Wyeth, E., Vaithianathan, R., & Loring, B. (2022). Estimating the economic costs of Indigenous health inequities in New Zealand: A retrospective cohort analysis. BMJ Open, 12, e065430. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-065430

Journal - Research Article

Te’o, D. T., Wild, C. E. K., Willing, E. J., Wynter, L. E., O'Sullivan, N. A., Hofman, P. L., … Anderson, Y. C. (2022). The impact of a family-based assessment and intervention healthy lifestyle programme on health knowledge and beliefs of children with obesity and their families. Nutrients, 14, 4363. doi: 10.3390/nu14204363

Journal - Research Article

Wild, C. E. K., Egli, V., Rawiri, N. T., Willing, E. J., Hofman, P. L., & Anderson, Y. C. (2022). "It's more personal if you can have that contact with a person": Qualitative study of health information preferences of parents and caregivers of children with obesity in New Zealand. Health & Social Care in the Community, 30, e3106-e3115. doi: 10.1111/hsc.13756

Journal - Research Article

Young, A., Charania, N. A., Gauld, N., Norris, P., Turner, N., & Willing, E. (2022). Knowledge and decisions about maternal immunisation by pregnant women in Aotearoa New Zealand. BMC Health Services Research, 22, 779. doi: 10.1186/s12913-022-08162-4

Journal - Research Article

Anderson, Y. C., Wild, C. E. K., Hofman, P. L., Cave, T. L., Taiapa, K. J., Domett, T., Derraik, J. G. B., … Willing, E. J. (2021). Participants’ and caregivers’ experiences of a multidisciplinary programme for healthy lifestyle change in Aotearoa/New Zealand: A qualitative, focus group study. BMJ Open, 11(5), e043516. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-043516

Journal - Research Article

Burdett, B. R. D., Witten, K., Willing, E., & Ameratunga, S. (2021). Inclusive access in transport policy and practice: Views of New Zealand transport practitioners. Case Studies on Transport Policy, 9(4), 1593-1599. doi: 10.1016/j.cstp.2021.08.008

Journal - Research Article

Cave, T. L., Derraik, J. G. B., Willing, E. J., Hofman, P. L., & Anderson, Y. C. (2021). Caregiver perceptions of weight in preschool children, and determinants of engagement in a multidisciplinary intervention service for weight issues. Obesity Research & Clinical Practice, 51, 262-267. doi: 10.1016/j.orcp.2021.03.002

Journal - Research Article

Chisholm, H., Paynter, J., Willing, E., Turner, N., & Howe, A. S. (2021). Does the National Immunisation Register stack up? Quantifying accuracy when compared to parent-held health record books. New Zealand Medical Journal, 134(1541), 22-32. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Journal - Research Article

Gall, A., Anderson, K., Howard, K., Diaz, A., King, A., Willing, E., … Garvey, G. (2021). Wellbeing of indigenous peoples in Canada, Aotearoa (New Zealand) and the United States: A systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research & Public Health, 18(11), 5832. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18115832

Journal - Research Article

Lacey, J. K., Thomson, W. M., Crampton, P., & Willing, E. (2021). Working towards Māori oral health equity: Why te Tiriti o Waitangi needs to underpin the oral health system, using evidence from the New Zealand Oral Health Survey. New Zealand Dental Journal, 117(3), 105-110.

Journal - Research Article

Meher, M., Spray, J., Wiles, J., Anderson, A., Willing, E., Witten, K., … Ameratunga, S., on behalf of the Inclusive Streetscapes Project Team. (2021). Locating transport sector responsibilities for the wellbeing of mobility-challenged people in Aotearoa New Zealand. Wellbeing, Space & Society, 2, 100034. doi: 10.1016/j.wss.2021.100034

Journal - Research Article

Wild, C. E. K., Rawiri, N. T., Cormack, D. M., Willing, E. J., Hofman, P. L., & Anderson, Y. C. (2021). A collaborative indigenous-non-indigenous partnership approach to understanding participant experiences of a community-based healthy lifestyles program. Qualitative Health Research, 31(8), 1404-1411. doi: 10.1177/1049732321998640

Journal - Research Article

Wild, C. E. K., Rawiri, N. T., Willing, E. J., Hofman, P. L., & Anderson, Y. C. (2021). Challenges of making healthy lifestyle changes for families in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Public Health Nutrition, 24(7), 1906-1915. doi: 10.1017/s1368980020003699

Journal - Research Article

Wild, C. E. K., Rawiri, N. T., Willing, E. J., Hofman, P. L., & Anderson, Y. C. (2021). What affects programme engagement for Māori families? A qualitative study of a family-based, multidisciplinary healthy lifestyle programme for children and adolescents. Journal of Paediatrics & Child Health, 57, 670-676. doi: 10.1111/jpc.15309

Journal - Research Article

Wild, C. E. K., Rawiri, N., Willing, E. J., Hofman, P. L., & Anderson, Y. C. (2021). Health system barriers to accessing care for children with weight issues in New Zealand: An interview-based study. Journal of Health Services Research & Policy, 26(4), 234-241. doi: 10.1177/13558196211016011

Journal - Research Article

Howe, A. S., Pointon, L., Gauld, N., Paynter, J., Willing, E., & Turner, N. (2020). Pertussis and influenza immunisation coverage of pregnant women in New Zealand. Vaccine, 38, 6766-6776. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2020.08.030

Journal - Research Article

Wild, C. E. K., O'Sullivan, N. A., Lee, A. C., Cave, T. L., Willing, E. J., Cormack, D. M., … Anderson, Y. C. (2020). Survey of barriers and facilitators to engagement in a multidisciplinary healthy lifestyles program for children. Journal of Nutrition Education & Behavior, 52(5), 528-534. doi: 10.1016/j.jneb.2019.10.010

Journal - Research Article

Wild, C. E. K., Rawiri, N. T., Willing, E. J., Hofman, P. L., & Anderson, Y. C. (2020). Determining barriers and facilitators to engagement for families in a family-based, multicomponent healthy lifestyles intervention for children and adolescents: A qualitative study. BMJ Open, 10(9), e037152. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-037152

Journal - Research Article

Willing, E., Paine, S.-J., Wyeth, E., Te Ao, B., Vaithianathan, R., & Reid, P. (2020). Indigenous voices on measuring and valuing health states. AlterNative, 16(1), 3-9. doi: 10.1177/1177180119885418

Journal - Research Article

Ameratunga, S., Spray, J., Anderson, A., Wiles, J., Witten, K., Ofanoa, M., … Willing, E., & Burdett, B. (2019). Inclusive streetscapes: Disabled people and older citizens charting a roadmap to equity. Journal of Transport & Health, 14(Suppl.), S18. doi: 10.1016/j.jth.2019.100729

Journal - Research Article

Tenbensel, T., Chalmers, L., & Willing, E. (2016). Comparing the implementation consequences of the immunisation and emergency department health targets in New Zealand: A tale of two targets. Journal of Health Organization & Management, 30(6), 1009-1024. doi: 10.1108/JHOM-08-2015-0126

Journal - Research Article

Willing, E. (2016). Hitting the target without missing the point: New Zealand’s immunisation health target for two year olds. Policy Studies, 37(6), 535-550. doi: 10.1080/01442872.2016.1207759

Journal - Research Article

Anderson, K., Elder-Robinson, E., Gall, A., Ngampromwongse, K., Connolly, M., Letendre, A., Willing, E., Akuhata-Huntington, Z., … Garvey, G. (2022). Aspects of wellbeing for Indigenous youth in CANZUS countries: A systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research & Public Health, 19, 13688. doi: 10.3390/ijerph192013688

Journal - Research Other

De Abreu Lourenço, R., Devlin, N., Howard, K., Ong, J. J., Ratcliffe, J., Watson, J., Willing, E., & Huynh, E. (2021). Giving a voice to marginalised groups for health care decision making. Patient, 14, 5-10. doi: 10.1007/s40271-020-00456-1

Journal - Research Other

Wild, C. E. K., Cave, T. L., Willing, E. J., Derraik, J. G. B., Grant, C. C., Hofman, P. L., & Anderson, Y. C. (2021). Correspondence: Systematic reviews do not always capture context of real-world intervention programmes for childhood obesity (response to Littlewood, et al., 2020 in BMC Public Health). BMC Public Health, 21(1), 501. doi: 10.1186/s12889-021-10486-5

Journal - Research Other

Cave, T. L., Wynter, L. E., Wild, C. E. K., Derraik, J. G. B., Willing, E. J., Hofman, P. L., & Anderson, Y. C. (2020). Uptake and outcome of a community-based healthy lifestyle intervention for preschoolers identified with obesity: An audit of the Whānau Pakari preschool programme. New Zealand Medical Journal, 133(1524), 135-139. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Journal - Research Other

Nowlan, M., Willing, E., & Turner, N. (2019). Influences and policies that affect immunisation coverage: A summary review of literature. New Zealand Medical Journal, 132(1501), 79-88. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Journal - Research Other

Wild, C. E. K., Grant, C. C., Cave, T. L., Wynter, L. E., Derraik, J. G. B., Willing, E. J., … Anderson, Y. C. (2019). The importance of rurality data in understanding access to healthcare services for childhood obesity. New Zealand Medical Journal, 132(1494), 60-63. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Journal - Research Other

Reid, P., Paine, S.-J., Te Ao, B., Willing, E., Wyeth, E., & Vaithianathan, R. (2018). Estimating the economic costs of ethnic health inequities: Protocol for a prevalence-based cost-of-illness study in New Zealand (2003-2014). BMJ Open, 8(6), e020763. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-020763

Journal - Research Other

Reid, P., Paine, S.-J., Curtis, E., Jones, R., Anderson, A., Willing, E., & Harwood, M. (2017). Achieving health equity in Aotearoa: Strengthening responsiveness to Māori in health research. New Zealand Medical Journal, 130(1465), 96-103. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Journal - Research Other

Back to top