What even is PHF Science? 🤔
We work across:
🦠 Infectious disease
💧 Water & environment
🔬 Forensic science
🍽️ Food & product safety
🧬 Genomics
☢️ Radiation science
🌏 Climate change, health & wellbeing
📊 Data science & AI
TL;DR: We’re the science behind the scenes, working to protect Aotearoa’s health, safety, and wellbeing.
From testing crime scene evidence to sequencing viruses in sewage (you’re welcome), we use science daily to protect people and inform decisions.
Follow us for a closer look at the Cool™ science (occasionally Weird, often Fascinating, always important) that protects Aotearoa New Zealand.
#phfscience #scienceIRL #forensics #publichealthscience #genomics #climatehealth #aotearoascience #scienceinaction #datascience #nzscience
New name, who dis ? 👀
With our new insta and name we're excited to let you in on what interesting science we get up to 🥼🧫
Who are we?
We're PHF Science (New Zealand Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science, formerly ESR), and we do important sciencey things for New Zealand's health, wellbeing, and safety.
Keen to learn more? Hit that follow button and join our journey to keep New Zealand safe and healthy 😎
#science #phfscience #newzealand
Still thinking about this epic day !
We loved sharing our passion for public health and forensic science at the Porirua Careers Expo earlier this week 🩵
#phfscience #science
What a day at the Porirua Careers Expo! 💛
Thanks for stopping by and asking great questions.
We definitely met some future forensic scientists, genomics technicians and virology experts yesterday. If you extracted DNA from a strawberry, you’re officially on the path to a career in genomics. 🍓🧬🥼
Big shout out to our PHF Science team for creating brilliant activities and giving their time to days like these. We love seeing them in action!
See you next time!
@poriruacity
Winter is coming...
and so is WellKiwis ❄️
The WellKiwis study has officially kicked off its winter surveillance for the 2026 season.
Our longitudinal community cohorts follow over 3,000 amazing participants across the Wellington region, helping us understand what really causes winter illness in Aotearoa.
To find out more about WellKiwis head to our website
Look after one another this flu season 🩵
#phfscience #PublicHealth #NZScience #KeepingKiwisHealthy
It’s World Immunisation Week 💉
Ever wondered how vaccine decisions are made?
Every day, our teams at PHF Science generate data and insights that support health agencies to decide which vaccines best protect Kiwis, now and into the future. From virus monitoring to long-term disease surveillance, our work helps ensure decision-making is backed by excellent science evidence.
This World Immunisation Week we are celebrating collective action for a healthier future 🩵
To find out more, check out PHF Science dashboards online to see our disease surveillance across Aotearoa
#NationalImmunisationWeek #PHFScience #VaccinesWork #Immunisation #PublicHealth #NZScience #KeepingKiwisHealthy
🧪Forensic toxicologists often work behind the scenes - but their mahi plays an important role in keeping people safe.
Meet PHF Science forensic toxicologist, Dr Helen Poulsen🩵
For more than 40 years, Helen has analysed and interpreted how drugs behave in the body, supporting coronial investigations, court evidence and public safety decisions.
Since the roadside oral fluid drug testing pilot began in Wellington in December 2025, New Zealanders can see her work in action.
Follow along to meet more people working incredibly hard at PHF Science to protect New Zealanders 🥼
#science #sciencenz #phfscience #forensicscience #toxicology
🌍 World Health Day 💚
Today we’re standing with the people behind the mahi - the scientists and researchers helping keep Aotearoa healthy.
At PHF Science, we’re proud to support the science that looks after people, animals, plants, and our planet 🌱🧬
Together for health - today and into the future.
#WorldHealthDay #StandWithScience #ScienceForHealth
Huge thanks to everyone who came out to the @motatnz STEM Fair this past weekend and stopped by to say kia ora to PHF Science!
We loved meeting you, our future scientists and seeing you solve our forensic mysteries 🔬✨
📍 Te Whanagnui-a-Tara look out! We’re heading your way next. Catch us at the Porirua Career Expo on 5th of May.
Can’t wait to see you there! 💙
#motat #stemeducation #sciencenz #aotearoanz🇳🇿
Kia ora Tāmaki Makaurau!
🧪Bring the whānau to MOTAT for a free STEM fair packed with hands‑on PHF Science activities.
🧬Come join us 10am-4pm, Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th of March, 2026
🔬Location:
MOTAT
805 Great North Road & 98 Motions Road,
Western Springs, Auckland 1022
We can't wait to see you all there! 💙
@motatnz
#phfscience #science #sciencefair #forensics #motat
What does forensic science actually look like? 🔍
Rian from PHF Science gives us the inside scoop.
Our crews from across the country came together for a rare training week - two days of theory 📚 followed by two days excavating simulated graves built to mimic the complexities of real casework.
A behind‑the‑scenes look at how forensic scientists sharpen the skills that help uncover the truth.
#phfscience #forensicscience #forensics
✨ This International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating the women shaping the future of science, public health & forensics!
👩🔬 At PHF Science:
• 66% of our team identify as women
• 50%+ of our senior leaders are women
• 2/3 of our Board are women
Their expertise and dedication keep communities across Aotearoa safe, today and tomorrow. 💙
#InternationalWomensDay #WomenInScience #PHFScience #Leadership #Aotearoa
