After more than 40 years with PHF Science (formerly ESR and the DSIR) and a career in forensic science that spans over five decades, the legendary Diana Kappatos is retiring. Her work has defined, challenged and elevated New Zealand’s forensic toxicology landscape, leaving a legacy that resonates far beyond the laboratory.
From Wellington Hospital to global leadership
Diana’s journey began long before PHF Science existed in its current form. She began her career as a toxicologist and chemist at Wellington Hospital and the Wellington Clinical School, before heading into DSIR’s (Department of Scientific and Industrial Research) Industrial Processing Division. She then spent time at the Mt Sinai School of Medicine in New York.
In 1988, Diana joined what would eventually become PHF Science, at that time DSIR, becoming one of our most enduring and influential scientific anchors. Her work spans tens of thousands of cases, countless coronial and court testimonies, and decades of method development, validation and quality assurance.
Diana has been a formidable and inspiring presence, with a combination of enthusiasm and unwavering commitment to doing what’s right that has drawn people into her research journeys. She championed a collaborative, evidence‑based approach, driving towards the aim of reducing drug‑related harm.
Turning toxicology into a public health powerhouse
When synthetic cannabinoids and other Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS) started sweeping through Aotearoa in the 2010s, Diana redefined how New Zealand responded.
Her leadership helped transform forensic toxicology from a reactive discipline into a proactive public health tool. She championed the creation of the ‘Border to Grave’ Drug Surveillance Project; the USED (Unidentified Substances in EDs) programme, which grew from a pilot to a national initiative; the IDEAS (Integrated Drug Alerting System) platform, delivering real‑time drug harm intelligence; as well as High Alert, New Zealand’s national drug early warning system.
These systems didn’t just improve our understanding of drug harm, they saved lives. They continue to shape national responses today.
Her work during the 2017-2020 synthetic cannabinoid crisis was particularly impactful. Diana didn’t stay behind the scenes, she went into communities, stood alongside Police and ED clinicians and spoke directly with whānau.
Aotearoa’s voice on the global stage
Diana’s expertise is recognised internationally. She has contributed to the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime’s global drug early warning system; collaborated with the US-based Centre for Forensic Science Research and Education; and served on multiple national and international committees, including the International Association of Forensic Toxicologists (TIAFT) and Forensic and Clinical Toxicology Association’s NPS Committees.
Her leadership helped bring the 2025 TIAFT conference to Auckland bringing an international community of over 500 forensic toxicologists to New Zealand for the first timer in its 62-year history, a milestone moment for forensic science locally.
A lasting legacy
Diana has spent a lifetime strengthening New Zealand’s justice system, safeguarding communities, and positioning the country as a world leader in drug‑surveillance and harm‑reduction. The surveillance networks, early‑warning platforms, and quality‑assurance frameworks she helped create are now core components of New Zealand's response to drug‑related risk, and their impact is felt in communities throughout the country.
As she steps into retirement after decades of service, we thank Diana for her brilliance, tenacity, compassion and unwavering commitment. Her legacy is as rigorous as it is profoundly human, forged from an enduring blend of cutting‑edge research and genuine care for the wellbeing of our people.