“The best of what a physician can be”

‘Paediatric endocrinologist’ doesn’t roll off the tongue. And the treatment and study of the complex and almost invisible system that regulates all the hormones in children's bodies is a relatively young specialty.

But it's growing fast.  As a paediatric endocrinologist, the Liggins Institute’s Professor Wayne Cutfield sees and researches hormone imbalances, glandular issues, and metabolic disorders involving growth and development, puberty, diabetes, thyroid function, and metabolism.

In a career spanning 40 years, he’s been everything from a one-man band on the end of a phone talking to distraught parents of diabetic children and trying to keep those children out of hospital, to a leading international researcher on the gut microbiome and its impact on obesity, anxiety, even autism.

No wonder this week the Royal Australasian College of Physicians named Cutfield its College Medal recipient for 2026.

“Professor Wayne Cutfield single-handedly established the paediatric endocrinology service in Aotearoa New Zealand, revolutionised early care of paediatric diabetes, and supervised the endocrine training of most paediatric endocrinologists and paediatricians who manage endocrine patients in Aotearoa New Zealand,” the judging panel said.

“He is a leading clinical teacher across the Asia-Pacific region. As Director of the Liggins Institute, he increased awareness of the effects of early life events on later health, and as Director of the A Better Start National Science Challenge, focused a national programme of research to improve childhood outcomes.”

Cutfield has won several big awards in the past, including the Norman Wetenhall Medal for research and innovation in paediatric endocrinology and diabetes, the University of Auckland’s Gluckman Medal, and the Australasian College’s Howard Williams Medal for child health leadership.

He has more than 340 publications to his name.

Liggins Institute director Professor Justin O’Sullivan calls Cutfield “a truly inspirational clinician-scientist”.

“His work is transforming lives today and will continue to benefit future generations."

And fellow Liggins researcher and consultant paediatric endocrinologist Dr Ben Albert commended the Royal Australasian College of Physicians for their decision to give Cutfield its highest annual honour.

“He is a leading clinical teacher, an astute clinician, a kind person who is always generous with advice and wisdom. His impact extends widely through the Asia Pacific, and around the world.

“He epitomises the best of what a physician can be.”