This portfolio of research aims to increase understanding of the sleep habits and sleep health of New Zealand adults, informing more effective public health approaches and appropriate sleep diagnostic and treatment services. Central to this work are our collaborations with Te Rōpū Rangahau Hauora a Eru Pōmare and the WellSleep Clinic at Otago University, Wellington. Follow-up work is in progress, analysing the 2013-2014 National Health Survey data, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (Dr John McCarthy).

Social jetlag refers to the discrepancy in the timing and amount of sleep between scheduled days and free days. Getting at least 2 hours more sleep on free days indicates that a person is getting insufficient sleep on scheduled days. Among NZ adults aged 20-59 years, 30% of Māori and 23% of non-Māori have insufficient sleep. The difference by ethnicity is partly explained by greater socioeconomic deprivation and more night work among Māori.