LAUSR

This second part of this Special Issue includes six papers. Edwards et al discuss how longitudinal research grounded in Māori concepts of lifecourse is urgently needed in Aotearoa New Zealand, as it will lead to better understanding of the lived realities of whānau and help to design strategies to improve Māori wellbeing (Edwards et al. 2023). Next, Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study researchers reflect on lessons from 50 years of longitudinal research and emphasise their gratitude to the participants who have willingly given so much to make the study successful (Poulton et al. 2023). Following this are papers from three clinical studies, the New Zealand Parkinson’s Progression Programme (MacAskill et al. 2023), The Dementia Research Prevention Clinic Study (Tippett et al. 2023), and the New Zealand Genetic Frontotemporal Dementia Study (Ryan et al. 2023); all aim to characterise biomarkers that will allow early diagnosis and treatment of dementia, an intervention that we know drastically improves outcomes for dementia patients and will significantly aid in improving the health of the New Zealand population as we age. Finally, a report from the Health, Work and Retirement Study (Allen et al. 2023) describes impacts on people’s capabilities (particularly cognition) as they age. Together, these studies highlight the potential that we have as a community of longitudinal researchers to work collaboratively to markedly improve health and wellbeing outcomes for the New Zealand population. As we draw together this two-part Special Issue showcasing the breadth of longitudinal research in Aotearoa New Zealand, here the Guest Editors of the special issue, together with three leading NZ longitudinal researchers reflect on the implications of longitudinal research for health, education, and social policy in New Zealand. We also reflect on what longitudinal research has taught us, and how we can use these findings to improve the lives of future generations.