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.

SHIVERS V funding boost announced

02 August 2021

Influenza

Please note: As of 1 July 2025, the New Zealand Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science (PHF Science) is the new name for the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR). Articles and information published before this date may reference the organisation's former name.

An ESR collaboration with the University of Auckland has received $9.8 million in funding from Flu Lab for the fifth stage of the SHIVERS programme. This project will help prepare New Zealand for post-COVID-19 respirratory disease outbreaks.

Dr Sue Huang who leads the SHIVERS programme at ESR says, "When we implemented lockdown and border control, it changed the behaviour of human interaction. As a result it changed the virus transmission pattern in our community".

Read more here and watch the interview with Dr Sue Huang.