The New Zealand Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science (PHF Science) was formerly named The Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR).

Infectious Diseases Research Platform

The Infectious Diseases Research Platform (IDRP) is funded by the New Zealand Government to enable better preparedness and response to threats from infectious diseases.

Lab Image Infectious Disease

About the Infectious Diseases Research Platform

The Infectious Diseases Research Platform (IDRP) will boost New Zealand’s resilience to infectious diseases and pandemic preparedness by overseeing a Government investment of $75 million over seven and a half years.

The Platform is hosted by the New Zealand Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science (PHF Science). It supports research to:

  • Strengthen national pandemic preparedness and response, including surge science capability.
  • Reduce the health, social and economic impacts of future infectious disease outbreaks.
  • Build a strategic, integrated and agile infectious diseases research system.
  • Enable breakthroughs.

Building on Te Niwha

IDRP transitional phase - February to July 2026

The first half of 2026 is a period of transition from Te Niwha and ensuring the IDRP is set up to meaningfully strengthen New Zealand's resilience to infectious diseases threats.

A key activity is preparing a Platform Plan for Government on how the $75 million in funding will be invested and managed. The plan:

  • Is being drafted by a Transitional Advisory Group with input from groups selected to represent the infectious diseases and wider communities of interest.
  • Will be submitted to the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment by the end of April.
  • contain details of areas of research focus and how applications will be commissioned and assessed. 

Platform updates

Next steps

We recognise the strong interest in how research funding will be progressed in 2026 and beyond.

Alongside developing the Platform Plan, we are working on processes for commissioning research and collaborative activities during the transitional period.

We appreciate your patience and will share details as soon as we are able to.

Any questions, email idrp@phfscience.nz

Transitional Structure

A number of groups are in the process of being set up to help develop and provide feedback on the Platform Plan.

Transitional Advisory Group
  • Established to support development of the Platform Plan and ensure continuity from Te Niwha. Includes representatives from universities, public research organisations, clinicians and researchers
  • Members: (Chair) Professor David Murdoch (PHF Science Chief Scientist), Associate Professor Emma Best (University of Auckland + Starship Hospital), Dr Max Bloomfield (Awanui Labs + Health NZ, Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley), Dr Rose Collis (Bioeconomy Science Institute), Dr Mae David (General Practitioner), Dr Nick Douglas (University of Otago + Health NZ, Waitaha + Menzies School of Health Research, Australia), Professor Jemma Geoghegan (University of Otago), Professor David Hayman (Massey University), Dr Tom Hills (MRINZ), Dr Sarah Jefferies (PHF Science), Dr Mike Maze (University of Otago), Dr Natalie Netzler (Auckland of Auckland), Professor Colin Simpson (,University of Auckland) and Glenda Raumati.
Operational Team

This team is being assembled; will ultimately consist of:

  • Director
  • Programme manager
  • Science manager
  • Pouarataki Māori lead (.5)
  • Communications lead (.5)
  • Programme coordinator

BE READY European Partnership for Pandemic Preparedness

The IDRP is providing funding for New Zealanders to collaborate and be part of international research as part of a European Partnership for Pandemic Preparedness. Interested? Find out more here.

Stay connected

Stay connected

If you have questions or want to discuss future funding opportunities, please email idrp@phfscience.nz

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