Rising star: Dr Troy Tararo-Ruhe

Growing up in Wellington and the Cook Islands, 30-year-old Dr Troy Tararo-Ruhe dreamed of becoming an All Black. Now, he's changing lives through science - and an exercise programme inspired by preparing coconut cream. 

While attending Otago University studying towards a Physical Education degree, Tararo-Ruhe aimed to attack the negative health statistics among Māori and Pacific communities through teaching and education. He soon realised that it was going to be through an understanding of science and research where he could make the biggest impact for his people.

“Initially I thought I would go down the classic Physical Education route and the outcome was to be a PE teacher," he says.

"But when I started to learn about science and the mechanisms of the body, I started to see all these cool things and I wanted to become a scientist, like an exercise scientist.

"I fell in love with exercise physiology even though I had not completed any sciences through high school. Being a physically active and curious person who enjoys manipulating variables in training to try and achieve specific outcomes, made me understand why I loved this field."

As part of his PHD studies at Otago University, Dr Tararo-Ruhe (Tuwharetoa, Ngāpuhi, Cook Islands) investigated effective ways that he could implement traditional practices into exercise programmes for Pacific Island communities.

The experienced Cook Island dancer developed an exercise programme called Niu Movement that includes traditional Cook Island dance and resistance exercises which simulate the four phases of coconut cream preparation.

More than 200 people took part in the programme, which he has run in Dunedin and the Cook Islands. Observational studies discovered that this form of movement and exercise was an effective way to reduce blood pressure and control blood glucose.

“It was made clear to me that our people understand exercise and the importance; but lacked expertise. Instead of fighting an uphill battle, I started this self-developed circuit-based exercise model.

“Everyone goes through a journey of discovering themselves, as well as just seeing where they fit in the wide world and part of that for me was a love for my culture. So, through my work I was able to put together my love for exercise science and my culture. They go hand in hand.”

In 2022, Dr Tararo-Ruhe gained a PhD in sports and exercise science. He is still based in Dunedin and currently works as a research fellow at the Centre for Pacific Health.

His new work involves helping to use data to provide positive outcomes for Māori and Pacific communities in areas of oral care, hospitalisations, autism and understanding the environmental factors that contribute to poor health.

“I help to curate all the national data so that we can look at projections and see what social-economic factors are associated with different health outcomes for Māori and Pacific families. From there we work with different groups who have community links to find out what is driving these factors and work on the most effective solutions,” he says.

“It’s not always about reinventing the wheel or coming up with something brand new. Data sovereignty has become my new niche and it’s another way where I can help my people.”

He says that many people are unaware of the important role research plays in helping to improve Pacific health outcomes.

“There’s a misconception of where you can go with research and how important it is. I’m always explaining to people what I do because there is a low understanding of what a researcher is.”

The former competitive skateboarder continues to play sport at a high level and belongs to a premier rugby team in Otago. He says his focus in life is his work and getting more Māori youth interested in the subject of science and data research.

“I’m putting myself out there so others may go, ‘wow, if this guy can do it, so can I’.”