Who We Are

The Malaghan Institute is New Zealand’s leading medical research institute focused on finding cures for cancer, asthma and allergy, arthritis, multiple sclerosis and infectious disease. The Institute is a registered charity and is based at Victoria University's Kelburn campus in Wellington.

Our scientists believe that the key to fighting illness lies in harnessing the immune system, the body’s own natural defense against disease. In addition to our drive for making discoveries, the Institute is committed to the development of New Zealand scientists and clinicians.

Our cutting-edge research is dependent on funding by the community, the corporate sector, contestable grants and trusts.

Although completely independent, the Institute maintains close collaborative relationships with tertiary institutions, Crown Research Institutes, hospitals and clinics throughout New Zealand.

Len Malaghan

In 1984 the former Wellington Institute of Cancer and Medical Research was re-named the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research in recognition of Len and Ann Malaghan, who were avid supporters and generous benefactors for the Institute. Their children and grandchildren continue their legacy with their son Graham serving as the Chairman, and grandson Matthew as a member of the Malaghan Institute's Board of Trustees. Other family members play an important role in various fundraising initiatives for the Institute.

Len Malaghan was born in 1906 and always had a keen eye for business. As a young man, he was a cheese and butter maker at the Tapanui Co-Operative Dairy Factory and qualified at age 20 to be a manager. Considered too young at the time, he was given the opportunity to train under a visiting ice cream manufacturer from the United States . This was to lead to a passion for ice cream and in 1936 Len and Ann opened a milk bar in Wellington specialising in ice cream and milkshakes. That humble enterprise took Wellington by storm and soon expanded into what we know today as Tip Top Ice-Cream Ltd.

Len Malaghan was joint managing director when the Auckland and Wellington branches of the company merged to become General Foods Corporation and was listed on the New Zealand Stock exchange. He was also on the board of J Watties Canneries. On 18 July 2007 Len Malaghan was inducted into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame.

Len’s generosity to the Wellington Medical Research Foundation began when he was diagnosed with cancer at the young age of 56. He and his wife Ann, established a medical research trust by gifting shares in General Foods to the Foundation.

While Len passed away forty years ago, at the relatively young age of 61, the Malaghan Institute is proud to ensure that his legacy continues.