Cancer Research Trust New Zealand (CRTNZ) is a registered charity established in 2002.
The Trust was originally created by Genesis Energy Limited to support the company's commitment to the community and to contribute in a positive way to one of New Zealand's biggest health challenges: cancer.
Between 2002 and 2015 Genesis Energy was the Trust’s sponsorship partner, during which time it endowed funds to the Trust, paid an annual sponsorship fee and running costs, and facilitated its customers making donations via their monthly energy bills. The sponsorship and customer donation arrangement with Genesis Energy ended in 2015.
Although this key partnership ended, the Trust's commitment to investing in innovative cancer research continued. In 2017, the Trust changed its name from Genesis Oncology Trust to Cancer Research Trust New Zealand and refreshed its statement of purpose.
Without the support of Genesis Energy, the Trust now relies on the generosity of the community to continue its crucial mahi. Since its inception, the Trust has built a solid investment fund that generates income to cover the Trust’s overheads. This means every dollar donated is applied to funding innovative research.
Titikaha Rangahau i ngā Mate Pukupuku
Titikaha - steadfast, resolute, committed, dedicated
Rangahau - research
Ngā - plural article that recognises the many variations of cancer
Mate Pukupuku - cancer
Special thanks to Evelyn M. Tobin for translating our name into Māori to reflect the work and values of the Trust.
Our charitable purpose
The Trustees are responsible for upholding the charitable purposes of the Cancer Research Trust which includes:
- Promoting research into the prevention and control of all forms of cancer in New Zealand.
- Promoting education and the advancement of best practice among those working in cancer in New Zealand.
The primary means of achieving these purposes is by funding research grants including fellowships and scholarships.
Our grant application and peer review process
We pride ourselves on our gold standard grant application and peer review process. Our grant rounds are managed by General Manager, Michelle Sullivan, PhD, a trained biochemist with over 20 years’ experience in New Zealand's health research sector.
We are fortunate to have 10 - 12 of New Zealand’s leading cancer clinicians and scientists to evaluate applications for funding. From there, every application is carefully reviewed by experts in the relevant field from some of the world’s most prestigious institutions, from the Mayo Clinic to the University of Oxford.
The Murray Jackson Clinical Training Fellowship
This award was named in recognition of the vision of the founding Chairperson of the Trust, Mr Murray Jackson. It was Mr Jackson who originated the idea of a Genesis Energy-sponsored charity to fund cancer-control research and education, and whose commitment and drive during its formative years laid the strong foundation for the Trust.
Murray passed away on September 9th 2018.
The John Gavin Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
Professor John Gavin was associated with the Trust from its inception and created the blueprint for its structure and grant assessment processes. John Gavin was an accomplished scientist and teacher and the annual Post Doctoral Fellowship award is named in recognition of his contribution to the Trust.
John passed away in May 2018.
Trustees
Maureen Shaddick, LLB, BA. (Chairperson) Maureen has over 25 years’ experience as a commercial lawyer and governance adviser in a number of roles in private practice, corporates and not for profit organisations in New Zealand, London and Dubai. She was the General Counsel and Company Secretary of Genesis Energy from 2003 to 2016. Maureen was involved in the establishment of Cancer Research Trust New Zealand (formerly Genesis Oncology Trust) and has been a Trustee since 2003. Other governance roles have included director of Genesis Energy subsidiaries, trustee of Second Nature Charitable Trust, board member of Netball Counties Manukau , director of Greater Auckland Netball Limited and trustee and chair of school board of trustees.
Dr Scott Babington MBChB FRANZCR is a consultant Radiation Oncologist at Canterbury Regional Cancer and Haematology Service, specialising in Urological, Lung, and Breast malignancies. Scott served on the Trans-Tasman Radiation Oncology Group (TROG) board and scientific committee from 2004 to 2008 and continues to be an active in clinical research. Scott is currently a member of the Cancer Treatments Subcommittee of PTAC (Pharmacology and Therapeutics Advisory Committee, PHARMAC), the South Island Lung Cancer Workstream, New Zealand Lung Cancer Working Party, and Smokefree Canterbury and chair of the Christchurch Coastal Pathway/Te Awa Ihutai Committee.
Professor Cristin Print BHB, MBChB, PhD graduated in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Auckland in 1989. After a period as a house surgeon in Otago, he undertook PhD research in the University of Auckland and a postdoctoral fellowship in Australia, before moving to Cambridge University, UK, where he was a Fellow of St Edmunds College. While in the UK he co-founded a biotechnology company that became listed on the Tokyo stock exchange in 2007. In 2005 he returned to the University of Auckland where he leads a cross-disciplinary research team of clinicians, biologists and data scientists who use genomics, systems biology and bioinformatics to better understand human disease, especially cancer. He leads the Genomics Into Medicine Strategic Research Initiative in Auckland and Chairs the Auckland Regional Tissue Bank Scientific Advisory Board. He is a Deputy Chair of the NZ Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) and a Principle Investigator in the Maurice Wilkins Centre. Previously, he served as President of the NZ Society for Oncology and was Director of the Bioinformatics Institute at the University of Auckland.
Greg Batkin BA(Econ), MBA, MInstD, CFIP has an extensive background in investment banking, direct investment and business ownership. He has reshaped investment portfolios, managed businesses and led high-value transactions. Greg is a Director of Sale Street Holdings, a growth-focused investment holding company. His previous roles include acting Chief Executive of Bromley Park Group, a large specialist poultry breeding business, Chief Investment Officer of NZX-listed Hellaby Holdings; and senior investment banking roles at Craigs Investment Partners, ABN AMRO and Westpac. Greg is Trustee and Chair of Aotearoa Clinical Trials Trust, Deputy Chair of medical software company Safer Sleep Holdings, a director/shareholder of Bromley Park Group; and is a board member of the Outdoor Boating Club.
Dr Peter Watson MBChB FRACP FRACMA is a medical graduate of Otago University. Pete has over 35 years’ experience spanning academic, clinical, and management roles including Chief Medical Officer, Deputy CEO and acting CEO roles at Middlemore Hospital/Counties Manukau Health. Other roles include inaugural national clinical leader at Te Whatu Ora, academic leader of Youth Health at the University of Auckland Department of Paediatrics, and multiple NGO and board roles including Trustee and Deputy Chair of Aoteoroa Clinical Trials Trust.
