He Tūāpapa Hauora: Housing-Related Health Outcomes in Te Tai Tokerau – A Mixed Methods Study “A foundation for health”

This research seeks to better understand how housing conditions affect infectious disease outcomes across Te Tai Tokerau. By analysing anonymised health data from 2020–2025, the study will identify which communities experience the greatest burden of respiratory, skin, and gastrointestinal infections, and how these patterns compare nationally.

Guided by kaupapa Māori principles and aligned with Te Niwha’s mission to prevent infectious diseases and advance equity, the project places Māori governance and data sovereignty at its centre. Through a Te Tiriti o Waitangi partnership approach, it supports collective action between housing, health, and social sectors to inform policy, direct investment, and improve wellbeing for whānau across Te Tai Tokerau.

>> PROJECT STARTED - 25th July 2025

This project will deepen understanding of how housing conditions influence infectious disease patterns in Te Tai Tokerau, identifying where inequities are most pronounced and why. The evidence generated will help decision-makers across housing, health, and social sectors to target resources and design interventions that deliver measurable impact.

The study will create a regional baseline on the burden of housing-related infections, showing how outcomes differ by age, gender, ethnicity, and levels of deprivation. These insights will guide policies that improve housing quality, reduce preventable illnesses, and enhance community wellbeing.

The evidence base produced will also strengthen cross-sector collaboration between health, housing, and social agencies, helping build resilience to future infectious disease threats. Ultimately, it supports transformative, data-driven decision-making that can reduce hospitalisations, improve quality of life, and advance long-term health equity for Māori and all communities across Te Tai Tokerau.