The Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) has changed its name to the New Zealand Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science (PHF Science) as of 1 July 2025. The new website address is www.phfscience.nz. Visitors will automatically be redirected to the new address. Please check and update any links and bookmarks after this change.

Whakapā mai

Contact us

Send us an enquiry, check the locations of our science centres, make an Official Information Act request and find answers to frequently asked questions. NZ Police, please note the preferred email address below.

Our Science
Centres

Laboratory opening hours:

Wallaceville Science Centre (WSC) - 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

66 Ward Street, Wallaceville, Upper Hutt 5018

PO Box 40158, Upper Hutt 5140, Aotearoa New Zealand

Laboratory opening hours:

Christchurch Science Centre (CSC) - 8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.

27 Creyke Road, Ilam, Christchurch 8041

PO Box 29181, Christchurch 8540, Aotearoa New Zealand


Laboratory opening hours:

Mount Albert Science Centre (MASC) - 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

120 Mt Albert Road, Sandringham, Auckland 1025

Private Bag 92021, Auckland 1142, Aotearoa New Zealand

Wallaceville Science Centre

Laboratory opening hours:

Wallaceville Science Centre (WSC) - 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

66 Ward Street, Wallaceville, Upper Hutt 5018

PO Box 40158, Upper Hutt 5140, Aotearoa New Zealand

Christchurch Science Centre

Laboratory opening hours:

Christchurch Science Centre (CSC) - 8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.

27 Creyke Road, Ilam, Christchurch 8041

PO Box 29181, Christchurch 8540, Aotearoa New Zealand

Mt Albert Science Centre


Laboratory opening hours:

Mount Albert Science Centre (MASC) - 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

120 Mt Albert Road, Sandringham, Auckland 1025

Private Bag 92021, Auckland 1142, Aotearoa New Zealand

Contact us

Contact information for New Zealand Police only

For case work and urgent queries, please call 0800 FORENSIC (0800 367 367 on call 24/7) 

For general enquiries, please email forensic@phfscience.nz (monitored working days only)

FAQs

How do I apply for a job at PHF Science?

PHF Science advertises all available career opportunities on SEEK, Linkedin and via our website. If you are interested in a position at PHF Science, but there are none currently advertised that suit your skills and qualifications, please register via the Introduce Yourself function on Workday.

How often are the health dashboards on the PHF Science website updated?

The health dashboards on the PHF Science website are updated weekly. 

Who can help me with questions relating to toxicology samples?

For toxicology enquiries, please email toxicology@phfscience.nz

Can I ask PHF Science for information about a criminal case?

PHF Science cannot provide information about police matters to members of the public. Please contact your local police station for matters relating to toxicology, DNA profiling, and other case-related queries.

Does PHF Science analyse workplace drug tests?

Yes. For Workplace Drug Testing enquiries, please email WDT@phfscience.nz

Can PHF Science provide information about a family member's DNA sample?

No, PHF Science does not provide private DNA analysis.

Does PHF Science test food samples?

Yes. For Food Testing enquiries, please email chemistry@phfscience.nz.

Can PHF Science identify unknown substances in food?

Yes, our Food Chemistry team can conduct a forensic investigation into unknown substances found in food manufacturing processes. Please contact chemistry@phfscience.nz for more information.

Can PHF Science provide information about my COVID-19 test results?

No, please send any COVID-19 public health queries to Te Whatu Ora at covid-19publichealthops@health.govt.nz.

How do I provide feedback about a service?

At PHF Science, we continually strive to improve the services we deliver to our customers. We'd like to hear from you, whether you want to make a comment, have questions or concerns, or would like to make a formal complaint.

Complaints will be acknowledged within five working days, investigated and formally responded to within 20 working days.

You can contact us via phfscience.externalenquiries@phfscience.nz or phone 04 914 0700.

OIA requests

Information requests

The Official Information Act 1982 (OIA) enables people in New Zealand to request information held by government organisations, including PHF Science. You should make your request directly to the entity you think holds the specific information you want, or that is most closely related to the topic of your request. If you think that is PHF Science, please contact OIA&PrivacyRequests@phfscience.nz 

Email OIA&PrivacyRequests@phfscience.nz

Media requests

Media enquiries

We welcome media enquiries about PHF Science's work and endeavour to reply to all questions we receive. We might be able to provide expert comment or interviews with our scientists.

Email media@phfscience.nz