Co-Search is a a research collaboration that aims to guide an effective and equitable pandemic response in Aotearoa New Zealand, and to learn how resilience and future responses can be improved.
Contact Co-Search:
Email virginia.signal@otago.ac.nz
Email fiona.taylor@otago.ac.nz
Co-Search research goals
The goals of our research are to:
- Describe the pandemic and its population health impacts in New Zealand and the Pacific
- Evaluate the response to help shape and improve its effectiveness and equity
- Contribute to long-term improvements in New Zealand's ability to manage pandemic threats
- Identify health, equity and sustainability benefits arising from a well-designed recovery
Understanding COVID-19 and future learnings
The impact of COVID-19 vaccination on disease burden and transmission and its vaccine effectiveness among participants of SHIVERS/WellKiwis community and household cohorts
Funding: ESR from October 2022 to September 2023
Lead: Amanda Kvalsvig
Email amanda.knalsvig@otago.ac.nz
New Health New Zealand Incorporated v Minister for COVID-19 Response
Aim: To act as expert witness in the case of New Health New Zealand Incorporated v Minister for COVID-19 Response Crown Law including expert witness and technical report that addresses the use of masks.
Funding: Te Tari Ture o te Karauna – Crown Law from October 2022 to June 2023
Lead: Michael Baker
Email michael.baker@otago.ac.nz
Key epidemiological features of the Covid-19 pandemic in New Zealand to improve the response
Aim: Analyse and describe key epidemiological features of the Covid-19 pandemic experienced in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Funding: Ministry of Health – Manatū Hauora from September 2022 to August 2023
Lead: Jennifer Summers
Email jennifer.summers@otago.ac.nz
The impact of vaccination on Covid-19 infection and long-term health outcomes
Aim: Assess the long-term effects of Covid-19 infection in children and investigate if vaccination modifies these long-term risks.
Funding: Ministry of Health – Manatū Hauora from September 2022 to August 2023.
Lead: Julie Bennett
Email julie.bennett@otago.ac.nz
The role of digital contact tracing to support improved pandemic responses
Aim: Understand the role of digital contact tracing to support improved pandemic responses
Funding: Ministry of Health – Manatū Hauora from September 2022 to August 2023.
Lead: Tim Chambers
Email tim.chambers@otago.ac.nz
Supporting the COVID-19 public health response
Big data / modelling
Aim: To use an individual-based network model of contagion to simulate the effects of interventions
Lead: Shaun Hendy
Email shaun.hendy@auckland.ac.nz
Border management and Pacific countries
Aim: To document and evaluate the effectiveness of border controls and the NZ Response to COVID-19 in the Pacific
Leads: Lucy Telfar Barnard and Viliami Puloka
Email lucy.telfar-barnard@otago.ac.nz or viliami.puloka@otago.ac.nz
Pandemic epidemiology
Aim: To generate a comprehensive epidemiological description of the pandemic, and its impacts and inequalities
Lead: Michael Baker
Email michael.baker@otago.ac.nz
Pandemic response planning
Aim: To assess the effectiveness of pandemic response planning in NZ
Lead: David Johnston
Email d.m.johnston@massey.ac.nz
Physical distancing and masking
Aim: To understand responses to physical distancing and self-isolation
Lead: Lesley Gray
Email lesley.gray@otago.ac.nz
Systems research
Aim: To develop a systemic understanding of community response and impact to guide response adaptations
Lead: Mat Walton
Email mathew.walton@esr.cri.nz
Understanding COVID-19 population impacts and shaping community responses
Lived experience
Aim: To understand lived experience of the pandemic and response measures
Lead: Louise Signal
Email louise.signal@otago.ac.nz
Māori-led pandemic responses
Aim: To evaluate a Marae-based pandemic response and reflect on lessons for the future
Lead: Cheryl Davies
Email cheryl@kokiri-hauora.org.nz
Population impacts
Aim: To assess the impact of both the pandemic and pandemic response on population well-being, with a particular focus on equity impacts
Lead: Amanda Kvalsvig
Email amanda.kvalsvig@otago.ac.nz
Visually documenting the COVID-19 pandemic and communicating research findings
Images and media
Aim: To provide Multimedia support and a visual description of the COVID-19 pandemic and response
Lead: Luke Pilkinton-Ching
Email luke.pilkinton-ching@otago.ac.nz