Focus areas

• Public health — including disease surveillance, addressing global challenges, antimicrobial resistance, health and wellbeing impacts of climate change and hosting NZ’s national disease reference laboratory.
• Forensic science — supporting the justice system and reducing drug harm through crime scene examinations, DNA analysis, toxicology expertise and world-leading innovations.
• Food and product safety — protecting New Zealanders from food-borne illnesses, biosecurity risks and understanding what is contained in products entering our borders.
• Water and environment — safeguarding our groundwater and ensuring our water management systems promote healthy communities.
• Radiation science — providing specialist advice, training and monitoring services to manage risks and impacts for NZ.

About us — Public Health and Forensic Science