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

Dr Mona Jeffreys Epidemiologist and Co-Principal Investigator

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).

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

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

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

Hamuera Evans
Te Iwi Mōrehu
Lived experience of COVID-19

Jenene Crossan
Ngāi Tahu
Lived experience of COVID-19

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

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

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

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

Tagaloa Dr Junior Ulu
Pacific health community leader

Dr Raymond Hutubessy
WHO, international health economics advisor

Prof Colin Simpson
Epidemiologist

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

Beate Noldan
Project Manager

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

Dr Janet McDonald
Qualitative and disability researcher

Dr Jackie Cumming
Health services researcher and health economist

Dr Claire O’Loughlin
Qualitative researcher

Dr Conroy Wong
Respiratory physician and clinical researcher

Dr Fiona Mckenzie
Epidemiologist

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

Dr Jesse Kokaua
Biostatistician – Pacific

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

Laura Kamau
Ngāti Poporo, Ngāi Te Rākatō
Māori Researcher

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

Dr Megan Pledger
Statistician

Dr Maite Irurzun Lopez
Health Economist

Dr Sione Vaka
Research Fellow – Pacific

Myra Tautau
Research Fellow – Pacific

Elizabeth (Dewes) Barnao
Ngāti Porou
Research Assistant

James Shanly
Summer Scholar

Tali Uia
Research Assistant
Art and illustrations

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.