Our vector surveillance programme combines science and community collaboration to better understand and manage mosquito-borne risks. Genomic databanks have been developed to trace the geographic origins of exotic mosquito species detected in New Zealand, while a predictive framework helps anticipate future introductions and assess how climate factors could influence their establishment. The programme also works closely with Northland communities, hapū, and iwi to incorporate local knowledge about mosquito distribution and health impacts. This multidisciplinary effort spans New Zealand, Australia, and the Pacific Islands.

PHF Science is involved in an Endeavour grant within MFAT's Climate Change Programme (CCP) that is focused on the Pacific region and adaptation strategies. This programme is a collaborative effort between multiple Crown Research Institutes (CRIs), underscoring our shared commitment to addressing the pressing challenges posed by climate change. Our joint initiative is dedicated to comprehensively understanding the current and future vulnerabilities to both fast- and slow-onset disasters resulting from climate change impacts. Through collation and review of existing data, including past events, we aim to identify crucial information gaps and assess Pacific assets such as populations, infrastructure, and culturally significant sites to better grasp potential damages and losses. 

PHF Science is a partner with UNICEF New Zealand to deliver a range of programmes that help improve WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) practices in the Pacific, including the New Zealand MFAT funded project Vanuatu WASH in Schools, or VanWINS.

The project supports policy, standards and guidelines development to mobilise schools and communities around the importance of better WASH practices, install WASH facilities, and train students, teachers and committees to use and maintain the facilities. PHF Science's contribution was to facilitate the development of the schools WASH technical support model (WASH Safety Planning), including: consultation and participatory design on the support model description, guidelines for school-specific risk assessment and prioritisation, guidelines for maintenance and improvements to existing facilities and practices, process to select appropriate water and sanitation options, and ways to monitor for, avoid and respond to problems

We also partnered with UNICEF New Zealand to provide support to the MFAT Partnerships for International Development Fund Solomon Islands Better Learning Environments (SIBLE) project.

Based in the Guadalcanal Province, the project supports policy, standards and guidelines development to mobilise schools and communities around the importance of better WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) practices, install WASH facilities, and train students, teachers and committees to use and maintain the facilities.

PHF Science's contribution is to facilitate the development of the schools WASH technical support model (WASH Safety Planning), including: consultation and participatory design on the support model description, guidelines for school-specific risk assessment and prioritisation, guidelines for maintenance and improvements to existing facilities and practices, process to select appropriate water and sanitation options, and ways to monitor for, avoid and respond to problems.

PHF Science also worked with UNICEF New Zealand and UNICEF Pacific colleagues to deliver “Kiribati WASH in Schools”. This project aimed to improve the water, sanitation and hygiene of 36 outer island schools in Kiribati. PHF Science's provided a technical decision-making resource to be used by the outer island schools to choose appropriate and affordable water, sanitation and hygiene options along with training in how to use the resource.

PHF Science were Technical Advisors supporting Unicef Vanuatu in the development of a ‘National Implementation Plan for Safe and Secure Drinking Water’ (NIP). The plan was approved by the National Water Resources Advisory Committee (NWRAC). PHF Science led the technical support to the Department of Water Resources (DoWR) during development of the NIP in 2016 and 2017.  DoWR again contracted PHF Science to support the effective implementation of the NIP.

The key deliverables of this were to support DoWR staff to refine the NIP documentation previously approved by NWRAC, and draft a Transition Plan to achieve full implementation of the NIP and Capital Assistance Programme (CAP).

At the completion of this contract, PHF Science had delivered:

• revised final versions of the National Implementation Plan documents 

•  a first and second draft of a Transition Plan for the NIP

• a draft job description for a new position, NIP Coordinator

• suggested additions to DoWR job descriptions, and Provincial Water Resources Advisory Committee (PWRAC) to reflect the expected roles these positions will have

• feedback and additional information/analysis on the WASH capacity and needs assessment for Vanuatu draft report by International Water Centre (IWC), to reflect the knowledge and skills required to implement the NIP

• a mock-up of a community water supply page for a website, to include descriptions and quick-links to the steps in participating in NIP.

The Tonga Water Sector Policy and Strategy Development Programme, delivered a comprehensive framework to strengthen water management and public health outcomes across the country. Key achievements included working to support the creation of a national Water Sector Plan and the establishment of a Water Security Authority to coordinate efforts across agencies.

The programme also developed the Tonga Water Security Information Management System and dashboard, featuring an  artificial population model designed to support environmental health monitoring. Together, these initiatives aim to reduce harm and hospitalisations from water-borne illnesses and increase access to safe drinking water by providing robust, evidence-based insights to guide policy and protect vital water sources.

PHF Science worked with the Tonga Ministry of Health to deliver the Healthy Tonga Environments Activity to provide support and development to the Environmental Health department at the Tonga Ministry of Health.

The Activity was co-designed and supported development of environmental health through a whole system approach. PHF Science and the Ministry of Health worked together to deliver outputs that developed strategy and actions for the team; identified areas for support; developed operational manuals; provided a distance learning Undergraduate Certificate course for the Environmental Health inspectors; built and developed an Environmental Health Laboratory, and supported information management within the team.

PHF Science worked in partnership with the Tongan Ministry of Commerce, Tourism and Labour and the Tongan Ministry of Health to provide public and environmental health support to the tourism industry in Tonga. 

The Healthy Tonga Tourism project was a New Zealand Aid Programme funded collaboration, and produced guides for tourist accommodation businesses based on PHF Science expertise:

Guide to Safe Rainwater Harvesting
This guide is designed as a training and reference resource for health inspectors, Tonga Mark assessors and accommodation business owners to enable them to identify risks to providing safe drinking-water and to plan appropriate improvements.

Guide to Controlling Mosquito-borne Diseases
This guide is designed as a training and reference resource for health inspectors, Tonga Mark assessors and accommodation business owners to enable them to identify risks to providing physical surrounds free from these disease-carrying insects and to plan appropriate improvements. The guide is equally useful for communities, schools, churches and other settings that host guests.

Guide to Food Safety and Hygiene
This guide is designed as a training and reference resource for health inspectors, Tonga Mark assessors and accommodation business owners to enable them to identify risks to providing safe and hygienic food storage and preparation and to plan appropriate improvements. The guide is equally useful for communities, schools, churches and other settings that provide food to guests.

These guides are all available to read below. 

This programme is providing expert support to ensure the rollout of safe, sustainable drinking water for South Tarawa. The programme includes technical advice on source water quality to guide the deployment of two newly commissioned desalination plants, which will supply the island’s only source of treated drinking water. It also involves developing strategies and practical plans to build public understanding and acceptance of paying for a reliable, reticulated water service to replace unsafe, free sources. Together, these efforts aim to reduce harm from water-borne illnesses, improve public health, and promote long-term economic prosperity through equitable access to safe and secure drinking water.

This programme in Kiribati is focused on strengthening national capacity to safeguard water quality and public health. It involves developing comprehensive water quality monitoring systems for both freshwater and lagoon environments, alongside the creation of National Drinking Water Standards and National Lagoon Water Guidelines for Kiribati. A key component is establishing and training staff for a dedicated water quality monitoring laboratory based in South Tarawa. Through these initiatives, the partnership aims to reduce harm from water-borne illnesses, increase community access to safe drinking water, and enhance health outcomes. By building local expertise and providing essential tools and facilities, the programme supports long-term, in-country capability for effective water resource management and environmental health protection.

An ongoing initiative aimed at strengthening forensic science capacity and enhancing the quality of evidence used in investigations and court proceedings. The programme includes continued training in forensic drug analysis, including complex casework, as well as remote assistance and troubleshooting for laboratory instruments. It supports the development of standard operating procedures for new methodologies and provides both advanced and refresher training on key instruments. In parallel, ongoing work focuses on refining quality assurance processes and documentation. Together, these efforts are helping to ensure the timely incorporation of robust forensic evidence, increasing stakeholder confidence in the integrity and reliability of forensic results presented in court.

To find out more about our expertise and experience, and how PHF Science can assist in the Pacific and beyond, contact Matthew.Ashworth@phfscience.nz or Pacific_dev@phfscience.nz