Ryan Gage

2026

Journal - Research Article

Worters, T., McKerchar, C., Gage, R., Reidy, J., & Signal, L. (2026). Piecing together piecemeal regulation: Stakeholder insights into joint statutory regulation to reduce children's unhealthy commodity marketing exposure in Aotearoa New Zealand. Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 37(2), e70153. doi: 10.1002/hpja.70153

Shaw, C., Gage, R., Miller, A., Cullerton, K., & Macmillan, A. (2026). Commercial influences on healthy transport: Interest group engagement with transport ministers in Aotearoa/New Zealand 2017-2022. Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 37, e70140. doi: 10.1002/hpja.70140

2025

Journal - Research Article

Shaw, C., Gage, R., McLeod, M., Jones, R., Keall, M., Woodward, A., & Cobiac, L. (2025). Population health, health equity and health system impacts of light vehicle electrification: A modelling study in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1136/jech-2025-223865

Worters, T., McKerchar, C., Watkins, L., Gage, R., & Signal, L. (2025). Public health and harmful advertising: The nature and extent of children's real-time exposure to unhealthy commodity marketing. Social Science & Medicine, 375, 118055. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2025.118055

Gurtner, M., Gage, R., Smith, M., Stanley, J., & Signal, L. (2025). Child's-eye views of smartphone-based gaming content: Objective insights from Aotearoa New Zealand. Health Promotion International, 40, daae195. doi: 10.1093/heapro/daae195

Watkins, L., Aitken, R., Gage, R., & Signal, L. (2025). In-school marketing: The nature, extent, and ethics of children's commercial exposure. Journal of Macromarketing. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1177/02761467251316137

Jones, R., McLeod, M., Gage, R., Woodward, A., & Shaw, C. (2025). Inequities in patterns and determinants of travel for Māori in Aotearoa/NewZealand. Journal of Transport & Health, 40, 101959. doi: 10.1016/j.jth.2024.101959

Gage, R., Broadbent, J., Leung, W., Lee, M., & Sullivan, T. (2025). The declining affordability of dental care in New Zealand from 1978 to 2023. Community Dentistry & Oral Epidemiology, 53(1), 17-25. doi: 10.1111/cdoe.12998

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Watkins, L., Aitken, R., Gage, R., & Signal, L. (2025). Recording children’s exposure to online advertising: Kids Online Aotearoa. Proceedings of the 57th Academy of Marketing Conference (AM): Saints and Scholars. (pp. 68-69). Cork, Ireland: University College Cork. Retrieved from https://academyofmarketing.org

Commissioned Report for External Body

Smith, M. B., Signal, L., Gage, R., & D'Souza, A. (2025). Children’s exposure to gambling and gambling marketing: A report on the key findings for the New Zealand Ministry of Health. Commissioned by New Zealand Ministry of Health. Wellington, New Zealand: University of Otago. 139p. Retrieved from https://www.health.govt.nz/publications/childrens-exposure-to-gambling-and-gambling-marketing

2024

Journal - Research Article

Shaw, C., Mizdrak, A., Gage, R., McLeod, M., Jones, R., Woodward, A., & Cobiac, L. (2024). Policy approaches to decarbonising the transport sector in Aotearoa New Zealand: Modelling equity, population health, and health-system effects. Lancet Planetary Health, 8(9), e647-e656. doi: 10.1016/S2542-5196(24)00171-2

Shaw, C., Gage, R., McLeod, M., Jones, R., Mizdrak, A., & Woodward, A. (2024). Socioeconomic inequalities in greenhouse gas emissions from household travel in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Travel Behaviour & Society, 37, 100820. doi: 10.1016/j.tbs.2024.100820

Gage, R., Liu, W., Pearson, A. L., Smith, M., Shortridge, A., & Signal, L. (2024). Comparison of ten policy options to equitably reduce children's exposure to unhealthy food marketing. Public Health Nutrition, 27, e130, 1-9. doi: 10.1017/s1368980024000958

Gage, R., Connor, J., Jackson, N., McKerchar, C., & Signal, L. (2024). Generating political priority for alcohol policy reform: A framework to guide advocacy and research. Drug & Alcohol Review, 43, 381-392. doi: 10.1111/dar.13782

Journal - Research Other

Collins, L. G., Gage, R., Sinclair, C., & Lindsay, D. (2024). The cost-effectiveness of primary prevention interventions for skin cancer: An updated systematic review. Applied Health Economics & Health Policy, 22, 685-700. doi: 10.1007/s40258-024-00892-2

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Signal, L., Smith, M., Gurtner, M., & Gage, R. (2024). Why is regulation of the online world urgently needed to protect children’s wellbeing? European Journal of Public Health, 34(Suppl. 3), ckae144.383. doi: 10.1093/eurpub/ckae144.383

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Puloka, V., Smith, M., Ferguson, A., Gage, R., Signal, L., & Baker, M. (2024, September). Identifying infectious disease risk factors for Tongan children: A wearable camera study. Verbal presentation at the Pacific Islands Health Research Symposium, Nadi, Fiji.

2023

Journal - Research Article

Lowe, B. M., Smith, M., Jaine, R., Stanley, J., Gage, R., & Signal, L. (2023). Watching the watchers: Assessing the nature and extent of children's screen time using wearable cameras. New Zealand Medical Journal/Te ara tika o te hauora hapori, 136(1578), 12-31. Retrieved from https://journal.nzma.org.nz/

Gage, R., Mizdrak, A., Richards, J., Bauman, A., McLeod, M., Jones, R., … Shaw, C. (2023). The epidemiology of domain-specific physical activity in New Zealand adults: A nationally representative cross-sectional survey. Journal of Physical Activity & Health, 20, 909-920. doi: 10.1123/jpah.2022-0156

Gage, R., Gurtner, M., Keall, M., Smith, M., McKerchar, C., Howden-Chapman, P., Shaw, C., Chambers, T., Pearson, A. L., … Signal, L. (2023). Fun, food and friends: A wearable camera analysis of children's school journeys. Journal of Transport & Health, 30, 101604. doi: 10.1016/j.jth.2023.101604

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper

Aitken, R., Watkins, L., Gage, R., & Signal, L. (2023). No place to hide: In-school marketing, the commodification of children and the commercialisation of education. Proceedings of the 48th Annual Macromarketing Conference: With a Little Help from Our Friends. (pp. 19-24). Macromarketing Society, Inc. [Full Paper]

Zwanenburg, S. P., Vincent, K., Deng, J., Gurtner, M., Gage, R., Smith, M., & Signal, L. (2023). Kids’ digital distractions: An observation study of recorded everyday screentime by 12-year-olds. Proceedings of the Australasian Conference on Information Systems (ACIS). 110. Retrieved from https://aisel.aisnet.org/acis2023

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Signal, L., & Gage, R. (2023). Generating political priority for domestic alcohol policy reform: A framework to guide advocacy and research. Population Medicine, 5(Suppl.), (pp. 458). doi: 10.18332/popmed/165421

2022

Journal - Research Article

Norriss, D., Crossin, R., Curl, A., Bidwell, S., Clark, E., Pocock, T., Gage, R., & McKerchar, C. (2022). Food outlet access and the healthiness of food available 'on-demand' via meal delivery apps in New Zealand. Nutrients, 14(20), 4228. doi: 10.3390/nu14204228

Gage, R., Chambers, T., Smith, M., McKerchar, C., Puloka, V., Pearson, A., Kawachi, I., & Signal, L. (2022). Children's perspectives on the wicked problem of child poverty in Aotearoa New Zealand: A wearable camera study. New Zealand Medical Journal, 135(1559), 95-111. Retrieved from https://journal.nzma.org.nz

Liu, W., Gage, R., Park, H., Pearson, A. L., Chambers, T., Smith, M., Barr, M., … Signal, L. (2022). The distribution of harmful product marketing in public outdoor spaces and the effectiveness of marketing bans. Health & Place, 76, 102861. doi: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2022.102861

McKerchar, C., Gage, R., Smith, M., Lacey, C., Abel, G., Ni Mhurchu, C., & Signal, L. (2022). Children’s community nutrition environment, food and drink purchases and consumption on journeys between home and school: A wearable camera study. Nutrients, 14, 1995. doi: 10.3390/nu14101995

McNoe, B. M., Gage, R., & Signal, L. (2022). What can Aotearoa New Zealand learn from the Australian Sunsmart story? A qualitative study. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 46(3), 387-393. doi: 10.1111/1753-6405.13243

Watkins, L., Gage, R., Smith, M., McKerchar, C., Aitken, R., & Signal, L. (2022). An objective assessment of children's exposure to brand marketing in New Zealand (Kids'Cam): A cross-sectional study. Lancet Planetary Health, 6, e132-e138. doi: 10.1016/S2542-5196(21)00290-4

Gage, R., Leung, W., Gurtner, M., Reeder, A. I., McNoe, B. M., & Signal, L. (2022). Generating political priority for skin cancer primary prevention: A case study from Aotearoa New Zealand. Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 33, 740-750. doi: 10.1002/hpja.545

Journal - Research Other

Gurtner, M., Smith, M., Gage, R., Howey-Brown, A., Wang, X., Latavao, T., Deng, J. D., Zwanenburg, S. P., Stanley, J., & Signal, L. (2022). Objective assessment of the nature and extent of children’s internet-based world: Protocol for the Kids Online Aotearoa study. JMIR Research Protocols, 11(10), e39017. doi: 10.2196/39017

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper

Watkins, L., Aitken, R., Gage, R., & Signal, L. (2022). An investigation of children's exposure to harmful marketing. In P. Harrigan & G. Brush (Eds.), Proceedings of the Australian & New Zealand Marketing Academy (ANZMAC) Conference: Reconnect and Reimagine. (pp. 650-652). Retrieved from https://anzmac.org

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Park, H., Liu, W., Gage, R., Chambers, T., Smith, M., Barr, M., … Signal, L., & Pearson, A. L. (2022). Do bans on harmful marketing protect children equally?: A geospatial analysis of harmful product marketing in public outdoor spaces. Proceedings of the American Association of Geographers (AAG) Annual Meeting. Retrieved from https://aag-annualmeeting.secure-platform.com

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Shaw, C., Gage, R., Mizdrak, A., McLeod, M., Jones, R., & Woodward, A. (2022, November). Socioeconomic inequalities in greenhouse gas emissions from household travel in Aotearoa/NZ. Verbal presentation at the 4th Transport Research Network (TRN) Symposium, Dunedin, New Zealand.

2021

Journal - Research Article

Gage, R., Girling-Butcher, M., Joe, E., Smith, M., Ni Mhurchu, C., McKerchar, C., Puloka, V., McLean, R., & Signal, L. (2021). The frequency and context of snacking among children: An objective analysis using wearable cameras. Nutrients, 13, 103. doi: 10.3390/nu13010103

Freeman, N., Gage, R., Chambers, T., Blaschke, P., Cook, H., Stanley, J., Pearson, A., Smith, M., Barr, M., & Signal, L. (2021). Where do the children play? An objective analysis of children's use of green space. Health Promotion International, 36, 846-853. doi: 10.1093/heapro/daaa106

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Gage, R., Gurtner, M., Signal, L., Keall, M., Smith, M., McKerchar, C., & Howden-Chapman, P. (2021). Children's journey to and from school: An analysis of travel modes, environments and eating behaviours using wearable cameras. Proceedings of the International Society of Behavioral Nutrition & Physical Activity Annual Meeting (ISBNPA XChange): Thinking Independently Together: Let's Dance Around the World. (pp. 50). International Society of Behavioral Nutrition & Physical Activity. Retrieved from https://isbnpa2021.venuewest.com

2020

Journal - Research Article

McKerchar, C., Smith, M., Gage, R., Williman, J., Abel, G., Lacey, C., Ni Mhurchu, C., & Signal, L. (2020). Kids in a candy store: An objective analysis of children's interactions with food in convenience stores. Nutrients, 12(7), 2143. doi: 10.3390/nu12072143

Signal, L. N., Edwards, R., Gage, R., Jackson, N., McKerchar, C., & Sarfati, D. (2020). The state of cancer prevention in Aotearoa New Zealand: Slow progress requires political leadership and investment for health and equity. Journal of Cancer Policy, 23, 100212. doi: 10.1016/j.jcpo.2019.100212

Vaipuna, T., Allison, L., Bhasin, A., Choi, K., Chu, A., Grice, K., Hay, A., Huang, S., Jarvis, E.-M., Laing, B., Lewis, A., Moriarty, R. H., … Rajendra, P., Simpson, J., Tay, A., Yang, A., Smith, M., Gage, R., … Signal, L. (2020). An objective methodology capturing online commodity marketing and other harms. Health Promotion International, 35, 1312-1319. doi: 10.1093/heapro/daz131

McKerchar, C., Smith, M., Stanley, J., Barr, M., Chambers, T., Abel, G., Lacey, C., Gage, R., … Signal, L. (2020). Food store environment examination: FoodSee: A new method to study the food store environment using wearable cameras. Global Health Promotion, 27(3), 73-81. doi: 10.1177/1757975919859575

Journal - Research Other

O'Toole, C., Gage, R., McKerchar, C., Puloka, V., McLean, R., & Signal, L. (2020). Is snacking the new eating norm for New Zealand children? An urgent call for research. New Zealand Medical Journal, 133(1517), 131-132. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Worters, T., Gage, R., Watkins, L., Aitken, R., Smith, M., McKerchar, C., & Signal, L. (2020). Food marketing and its place in the marketing landscape. Proceedings of the International Society of Behavioral Nutrition & Physical Activity (ISBNPA) XChange. (pp. 418). International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. Retrieved from https://venuewest.eventsair.com/isbnpa-xchange-initiative

McKerchar, C., Smith, M., Gage, R., Williman, J., Abel, G., Lacey, C., … Signal, L. (2020). Kids in a candy store: An objective analysis of children's interactions with food in convenience stores. Proceedings of the International Society of Behavioral Nutrition & Physical Activity (ISBNPA) XChange. (pp. 385). International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. Retrieved from https://venuewest.eventsair.com/isbnpa-xchange-initiative

Gage, R., Girling-Butcher, M., Joe, E., Smith, M., McKerchar, C., Puloka, V., & Signal, L. (2020). Big snack: Using wearable cameras to explore children's daily snacking behaviours. Proceedings of the International Society of Behavioral Nutrition & Physical Activity (ISBNPA) XChange. (pp. 270). International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. Retrieved from https://venuewest.eventsair.com/isbnpa-xchange-initiative

2019

Journal - Research Article

Watkins, L., Aitken, R., Gage, R., Smith, M. B., Chambers, T. J., Barr, M., Stanley, J., & Signal, L. N. (2019). Capturing the commercial world of children: The feasibility of wearable cameras to assess marketing exposure. Journal of Consumer Affairs, Winter, 1396-1420.

Gage, R., Wilson, N., Signal, L., & Thomson, G. (2019). Shade in playgrounds: Findings from a nationwide survey and implications for urban health policy. Journal of Public Health, 27(5), 669-674. doi: 10.1007/s10389-018-0990-9

Gage, R., Leung, W., Stanley, J., Reeder, A., Mackay, C., Chambers, T., Smith, M., Barr, M., & Signal, L. (2019). Studying third-parties and environments: New Zealand sun-safety research. Health Promotion International, 34(3), 440-446. doi: 10.1093/heapro/dax094

Journal - Research Other

Gurtner, M., Gage, R., Thomson, G., Jaine, R., Stanley, J., Smith, M., Barr, M., Chambers, T., & Signal, L. (2019). Are children smoke-free at home? Using wearable cameras to study children's exposure to smoking and smoking paraphernalia in private spaces [Short report]. Child: Care, Health & Development, 45, 306-309. doi: 10.1111/cch.12631

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Puloka, V., Smith, M., Ferguson, A., Gage, R., Signal, L., & Baker, M. (2019). Identifying infectious disease hazards in Tongan children's environments using wearable cameras. Proceedings of the Otago Global Health Institute (OGHI) 12th Annual Conference: Global Health in the Era of Climate Change. (pp. 14). Retrieved from https://www.otago.ac.nz/global-health

Gage, R., Leung, W., & Signal, L. (2019). A burning hole in New Zealand health policy: Key informant views on the barriers holding back skin cancer prevention. Proceedings of the 23rd International Union for Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE) World Conference on Health Promotion. Retrieved from http://www.iuhpe2019.com

Gage, R., Watkins, L., Aitken, R., Smith, M., & Signal, L. (2019). Children's real-time exposure to commercial marketing: An observational analysis using wearable cameras. Proceedings of the 23rd International Union for Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE) World Conference on Health Promotion. Retrieved from http://www.iuhpe2019.com

Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)

Puloka, V., Smith, M., Ferguson, A., Gage, R., Signal, L., & Baker, M. (2019, December). Identifying infectious disease hazards in Tongan children's environments: A wearable camera study. Poster session presented at the 5th One Health Aotearoa (OHA) Symposium, Wellington, New Zealand.

2018

Journal - Research Article

Gage, R., Barr, M., Stanley, J., Reeder, A., Mackay, C., Smith, M., Chambers, T., Leung, W., & Signal, L. (2018). Sun protection and shade availability in New Zealand's outdoor recreation spaces. New Zealand Medical Journal, 131(1484), 30-37. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Gage, R., Wilson, N., Signal, L., Barr, M., Reeder, A., & Thomson, G. (2018). Using Google Earth to assess shade for sun protection in urban recreation spaces: Methods and results. Journal of Health Communication, 43, 1061-1068. doi: 10.1007/s10900-018-0522-0

Gage, R., Leung, W., Stanley, J., Reeder, A., Mackay, C., Smith, M., Barr, M., Chambers, T., & Signal, L. (2018). Sun protection among New Zealand primary school children. Health Education & Behavior, 45(5), 800-807. doi: 10.1177/1090198117741943

Gage, R., O'Toole, C., Robinson, A., Reeder, A., Signal, L., & Mackay, C. (2018). Wellington playgrounds uncovered: An examination of solar ultraviolet radiation and shade protection in New Zealand. Photochemistry & Photobiology, 94(2), 357-361. doi: 10.1111/php.12855

Other Research Output

Cook, H. and co-signatories, including Aspinall, C., Baker, M., Ball, J., Brewer, N., Cleghorn, C., Cunningham, R., Donovan, S., D'Souza, A., Edwards, R., Fraser, B., Gage, R., Hoek, J., Howden-Chapman, P., Hurley, K., Kvalsvig, A., Kvizhinadze, G., Lawson-Te Aho, K., McIntyre, M. E., Ombler, J., O'Sullivan, K., Pierse, N., Purdie, N., Rangiwhetu, L., Reidy, J., Russel, M., Sarfati, D., Shaw, C., Signal, L., Stanley, J., Thornley, L., Viggers, H., White, M., Wilson, N., and Zhang, W. (2018). Revision of the Abortion Law. Submission to New Zealand Parliament, Wellington, New Zealand. [Government Submission].

2017

Journal - Research Article

Gage, R., Leung, W., Stanley, J., Reeder, A., Barr, M., Chambers, T., Smith, M., & Signal, L. (2017). Clothing protection from ultraviolet radiation: A new method for assessment. Photochemistry & Photobiology, 93(6), 1513-1518. doi: 10.1111/php.12803

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Thomson, G., Delany, L., & Gage, R. (2017). The international tax regime as a health determinant: Promoting health through fair international taxation. Proceedings of the New Zealand Public Health Association (PHA) Conference. 74. Retrieved from http://www.conference.co.nz/phanz17

Thomson, G., Wilson, N., & Gage, R. (2017). Healthy playgrounds: Simple methods to gather data for monitoring health risks and for advocacy. Proceedings of the New Zealand Public Health Association (PHA) Conference. 73. Retrieved from http://www.conference.co.nz/phanz17

Gage, R., Leung, W., Signal, L., Stanley, J., Reeder, T., & Mackay, C. (2017). The lifetime cost-effectiveness of preventing skin cancer through shade construction in schools. Proceedings of the 15th World Congress on Public Health. Retrieved from https://wcph2017.entegyapp.com/Page/28/564/26/1459

Watkins, L., Aitken, R., Signal, L., Smith, M., & Gage, R. (2017). Documenting the commercial world of New Zealand children. In B. Wooliscroft & A. Ganglmair-Wooliscroft (Eds.), Proceedings of the Macromarketing Conference: Macromarketing Systems' Contributions to Society: Past, Present and Potential. (pp. 631-633). Dunedin, New Zealand: Macromarketing Society and the Marketing Department, University of Otago. [Abstract]

2016

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Signal, L., Smith, M., Barr, M., Stanley, J., Jenkin, G., Chambers, T., Gage, R., … Ni Mhurchu, C. (2016). Automated anthropology: A new method of working with children and exploring their world. Saúde e Sociedade, 25(Suppl. 1), (pp. 1658). [Abstract]

Smith, M., Signal, L., Barr, M., Stanley, J., Jenkin, G., Chambers, T., Gage, R., … Ni Mhurchu, C. (2016). Automated anthropology: A new method of working with children and exploring their world. Proceedings of the 3rd Aotearoa New Zealand Childhood Studies Colloquium: Children and Childhoods: Agency, Participation and Contribution. (pp. 20-21). Retrieved from https://www.ivvy.com/event/A1ZAMK/

Gage, R., Signal, L., Leung, W., Stanley, J., Reeder, T., & Mackay, C. (2016). No hat, no play? An objective evaluation of sun-safety practices in New Zealand primary and intermediate schools. Proceedings of the 3rd Aotearoa New Zealand Childhood Studies Colloquium: Children and Childhoods: Agency, Participation and Contribution. (pp. 8-9). Retrieved from https://www.ivvy.com/event/A1ZAMK/