Mo mātou | About us

We are a large team of researchers, supported by a Rōpū Kaitiaki | Advisory Board

Lead Researchers

Meet our Lead researchers, based at Te Hikuwai Rangahau Hauora | Health Services Research Centre, Te Herenga Waka | Victoria University of Wellington

Dr Lynne Russell
Ngāti Kahungunu, Rangitāne, Kāi Tahu, Ngāti Porou
Senior Māori Researcher,
Co-principal Investigator and Rōpū Māori Lead

Portrait of Dr Mona Jeffreys

Dr Mona Jeffreys Epidemiologist and Co-Principal Investigator

Portrait of Dr Marianna Churchward

Dr Marianna Churchward
Lotofaga, Faleasiu, Samoa
Senior Pacific researcher and Pacific Team Lead


Te Rōpū Kaitiaki | Advisory Board

Our Rōpu Kaitiaki | Advisory Board is guided by Witeria (Witi) Ashby, (Pou Tikanga), Whaea Iris Pahau (Tāngata Whenua co-Chair) and Tuiloma Lina-Jodi Samu (Tāngata Tiriti co-Chair).

Portrait of Matua Witi Ashby

Matua Witeria (Witi) Ashby
Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Kawa
Pou Tikanga

portrait of Iris Pahau

Whaea Iris Pahau
Te Aupouri, Te Rarawa, Ngāti Kuri, Ngāti Awa
Tangata Whenua Kaitaki

Portrait of Tuiloma Lina-Jodi Vaine Samu

Tuiloma Lina-Jodi Vaine Samu
Salelesi, Faleula, Sapunaoa, Falealili, Pu’apu’a i Savai’i, Samoa
Tangata Tiriti Kaitiaki


Te Rōpū Kaitiaki | Advisory Board members with lived experience of COVID-19
Portrait of Hamuera Evans

Hamuera Evans
Te Iwi Mōrehu
Lived experience of COVID-19

Portrait of Jenene Crossan

Jenene Crossan
Ngāi Tahu
Lived experience of COVID-19

Portrait of Donna Glossop

Donna Glossop
Nurse and lived experience of COVID-19

Tuala Tagaloa Tamasese Tusani
Lived experience of COVID-19


… and other members of Te Rōpū Kaitiaki | Advisory Board
Portrait of Dr Tristram Ingham

Dr Tristram Ingham
Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Porou
Epidemiologist, Kaupapa Māori researcher, Tangata Whaikaha disability researcher

portrait of Dr Bernadette Jones

Bernadette Jones
Ngā Wairiki, Ngāti Apa
Kaupapa Māori researcher, Tangata Whaikaha disability researcher

Portrait of Dr Donna Cormack

Dr Donna Cormack
Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe
Epidemiologist, Kaupapa Māori researcher and member of Te Rōpū Whakakaupapa Urutā

Portrait of Tagaloa Dr Junior Ulu

Tagaloa Dr Junior Ulu
Pacific health community leader

Dr Raymond Hutubessy
WHO, international health economics advisor

Prof Colin Simpson
Epidemiologist

Portrait of Prof Aziz Sheikh

Prof Aziz Sheikh
Epidemiologist, lead for Scottish arm of COVIDENCE UK Study


Other members of the research team

Dr Analosa Veukiso-Ulugia
Research Fellow – Pacific

portrait of Beate Noldan

Beate Noldan
Project Manager

Portrait of Dr Rebecca Bell

Dr Rebecca (Bex) Bell
Kāi Tahu, Rangitāne
Senior Māori Researcher

Portrait of Dr Janet McDonald

Dr Janet McDonald
Qualitative and disability researcher

Portrait of Dr Jackie Cumming

Dr Jackie Cumming
Health services researcher and health economist

Portrait of Dr Claire O'Loughlin

Dr Claire O’Loughlin
Qualitative researcher

Portrait of Dr Conroy Wong

Dr Conroy Wong
Respiratory physician and clinical researcher

Portrait of Fiona Mckenzie

Dr Fiona Mckenzie
Epidemiologist

Portrait of Dr Huhana Hickey

Dr Huhana Hickey MNZM
Ngāti Tāhinga, Whakatōhea, Tainui
Senior Māori Researcher

Dr Jesse Kokaua
Biostatistician – Pacific

Portrait of Dr Kirsten Smiler

Dr Kirsten Smiler
Te Whānau a Kai, Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki, Rongowhakaata, Te Whakatōhea
Senior Kaupapa Māori disability researcher

Dr Lanuola Asiasiga
Research Fellow – Pacific

Portrait of Laura Kamau

Laura Kamau
Ngāti Poporo, Ngāi Te Rākatō
Māori Researcher

Portrait of Dr Lis Ellison Loschmann

Dr Lis Ellison Loschmann
Te Ātiawa, Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Toa Rangitira, Ngāti Raukawa
Epidemiologist

Portrait of Dr Megan Pledger

Dr Megan Pledger
Statistician

Portrait of Dr Maite Irurzun Lopez

Dr Maite Irurzun Lopez
Health Economist

Dr Sione Vaka
Research Fellow – Pacific

Portrait of Myra Kone Tautau

Myra Tautau
Research Fellow – Pacific


Elizabeth (Dewes) Barnao
Ngāti Porou
Research Assistant

Portrait of James Shanly

James Shanly
Summer Scholar

Portrait of Tali Uia

Tali Uia
Research Assistant


Art and illustrations

Portrait of Ephraim Russell

Ephraim Russell
Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki, 
Rongowhakata, Ngāi Tamanuhiri, Rongomaiwahine, Ngāti Kahungunu, Te Whakatohea, Rangitane, 
Kāti Mamoe, Waitaha, Ngāi Tahu
Māori mixed media visual artist

Huriana Kopeke-Te Aho
Tūhoe, Ngāti Porou, Rongowhakaata, Te Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi, Ngāti Kahungungu, Kai tahu, Fale’ula
Illustrator

Learn more about the art and illustrations used for the study here.