DoctorKate Prendergast

My research is at the intersection of sustainability, wellbeing, and public health, particularly in relation to children and youth, urban environments, and workplace settings.

Research projects I’ve worked on include:

Sustainability:

• Children and Youth in Cities - Lifestyle Evaluations and Sustainability (2018-present): An international study of how young people can live sustainable low carbon lifestyles in cities
• Next Wave: Barometer of Sustainable Innovation in Aotearoa with the Sustainable Business Network (2025 -present)
• Mana Rangatahi (2021-present)

Wellbeing:

• Whanaungatanga Wellbeing Programme (2023-2025): An AUT and Fire and Emergency NZ initiative aimed at improving the psychological wellbeing of career firefighters and operational managers.
• Sovereign Wellbeing Index (2012-2016): A longitudinal study of New Zealanders wellbeing

Public health:

• Neighbourhoods for Active Kids
• Healthy homework: A physical activity and nutrition intervention for children
• PLAY - Improving school playgrounds to enhance physical activity and reduce the prevalence of obesity and bullying in NZ school children
• Built Environments and Physical Activity in New Zealand Youth (BEANZ)
• Australian Sports Outreach Program Evaluation (Tonga) (2012): This research focused on encouraging Tongan women to participate in netball activities through a nationwide campaign in the first quarter of 2012. The study then evaluated the outcomes of the campaign using a community intercept quantitative survey, as well as longitudinal qualitative case studies to investigate social inclusion questions.
• Epo'n Keramen Program Evaluation (Nauru)(2013): The main aim of the research in Nauru was to investigate whether programme beneficiaries adopted more healthy behaviours as a result of participation in Australian Sports Outreach Program activities. The research assessed the type of changes witnessed and the magnitude of these changes over time.
• Brief interventions in primary care and workplace settings (2011-2013)