Dr Deborah Harris FCNZ

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner 

Associate Professor 

Te Herenga Waka | Victoria University of Wellington 

Wellington Regional Hospital 

Deborah is the first registered nurse practitioner (Mātanga Tapuhi) in New Zealand. Deborah is a distinguished nurse scientist and scholar, who is driven to improve the health outcomes for those we serve. Her career has spanned clinical practice, academic work, research and scholarship. She is a fellow of the College of Nurses Aotearoa. In 2022 Deborah as part of the Glucose Team were awarded the Te Pūiaki Putaiao Matua a Te Pirimia Science Prize (Prime Ministers Science Prize), which recognises a transformative scientific discovery or achievement which has had a significant impact in New Zealand or Internationally.
 Deborah’s research interests include the management of babies at risk of neonatal hypoglycaemia and their later development. Her PhD showed oral dextrose gel reversed neonatal hypoglycaemia, reduced separation of mothers and babies soon after birth, supported breastfeeding, was well tolerated, and inexpensive. Oral dextrose gel is now first-line treatment for hypoglycaemic babies in well-resourced countries. The impact of her team’s research has changed the treatment for millions of babies and families across the developed world. Deborah and her team are now investigating the prevention and management of neonatal hypoglycaemia in low resource settings, working primarily with Pacific Island country partners. She is also leading research evaluating the clinical and economic outcomes of the nurse practitioner role in New Zealand.
 Deborah is currently the Deputy Director of Nursing Science Advanced Pathways at Victoria University of Wellington | Te Herenga Waka.