COVID-19 Modelling Aotearoa
Te Pūnaha Matatini investigators (as well as many others) have been modelling COVID-19 and its projected impacts since January 2020. At COVID-19 Modelling Aotearoa, we have built a cross-organisation, transdisciplinary, dedicated, and committed group of academic researchers and scientists to help Aotearoa New Zealand face the pandemic.
Our COVID-19 modelling programme is underpinned by Te Tiriti o Waitangi, fast and committed peer review, and ethics. These parameters ensure that the modelling developed by the broad team is uniquely equipped to provide scientifically robust results which are fit for Aotearoa New Zealand and support public policy and decision-making.
COVID-19 Modelling Aotearoa arose under the leadership of Te Pūnaha Matatini investigators, and has been a standalone programme hosted by the University of Auckland since January 2021. Early in the pandemic we were funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, and we are currently funded by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Understanding mis- and disinformation in Aotearoa New Zealand
The Disinformation Project has been studying the spread of misinformation and disinformation within Aotearoa New Zealand, to understand the trends and what they mean for our country.
Effect of vaccination, border testing, and quarantine requirements on the risk of COVID-19 in New Zealand
We use a stochastic branching process model to investigate the risk of border-related outbreaks of COVID-19 and strategies to mitigate this risk.
Mis- and disinformation in Aotearoa New Zealand
There has been a sharp increase in the popularity and intensity of disinformation in Aotearoa New Zealand during the latest COVID-19 outbreak.
Modelling the August 2021 COVID-19 outbreak in New Zealand
We use a branching process model to simulate the Auckland August 2021 outbreak through to early January 2022, including the effects of increasing vaccine coverage by age group and time.
Preliminary estimates of hospitalisation numbers for the August 2021 outbreak, assuming we stay in Alert Level 4
We use the contagion network model to project case numbers and thus hospital and critical care numbers for the current Auckland outbreak of August 2021, with current vaccination coverage.
‘Phased transition’ to phase transition: The network consequences of reconnecting
We seek to explain and explore how changes to Alert Level restrictions may impact the network of interactions on which COVID-19 is spread.
Estimates of new onset of COVID-like illness, symptomatic population, and testing rates
Using the FluTracking survey data for 2021 up until the week ending 29 August 2021, we can estimate the weekly incidence (new onset) of COVID-19-like symptoms within different age groups and different parts of the country.
Estimates of effects on changing Alert Levels for the August 2021 outbreak
We use an individual-based, Aotearoa-specific Contagion Network Model to simulate the spread of COVID-19 in the community for an outbreak comparable to that detected on 17 August 2021.
Modelling to support a future COVID-19 strategy for Aotearoa New Zealand
Updated modelling exploring how high rates of vaccine coverage might reduce the health burden from COVID-19 if combined with moderate public health measures to reduce transmission of the virus.
FluTracking incidence calculation methods
This report details the methods used for calculating the estimated weekly incidence of COVID-19-like and influenza-like illness in Aotearoa New Zealand, using data from the FluTracking weekly survey.
Contagion network modelling in the first weeks of the August 2021 outbreak
In the first weeks of the 2021 Auckland August COVID-19 outbreak, the contagion network team provided a number of reports to officials with estimates of the likely size of the outbreak and updates on the estimated effect of Alert Level interventions on curtailing spread.
Inter-regional movement and contagion risk analysis August 2021
We use a range of data sources and analytic approaches to estimate the number of movements between regions of Aotearoa and to give some estimates of the risk of transmission of COVID-19 to regions outside of Auckland, during the early stages of the August 2021 outbreak.
Modelling the potential spread of COVID-19 during the August 2021 outbreak
Two technical reports in which we consider the epidemic course for the August 2021 cluster following the shift to Alert Level 4 restrictions in New Zealand, using a stochastic branching process model.
Exploring COVID-19 transmission risk and vulnerability through the Aotearoa Co-incidence Network (ACN)
The Aotearoa Co-incidence Network (ACN) provides a highly insightful tool to explore the manner in which the regions of Aotearoa New Zealand are connected to each other through co-incidence of individuals at workplaces and schools.
COVID-19 network modelling trilogy
Three network modelling reports that explore policy settings and possible interventions to prepare for the emergence of COVID-19, whether Alert Level 2.5 can be effectively used for future outbreaks, and a large number of combinations of transmission reduction interventions.
A COVID-19 vaccination model for Aotearoa New Zealand
We use a mathematical model to estimate the effect of New Zealand’s vaccine rollout on the potential spread and health impacts of COVID-19 and the implications for controlling border-related outbreaks.
Fighting COVID-19 with the team of 5 million
A reflexive thematic analysis of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s addresses to the nation and her daily press briefings with the Director-General of Health, Ashley Bloomfield.
Vaccination and testing of the border workforce for COVID-19 and risk of community outbreaks
We use a stochastic model of COVID-19 transmission and testing to investigate the effect that vaccination of border workers has on the risk of an outbreak in an unvaccinated community.
Estimated inequities in Covid-19 infection fatality rates by ethnicity for Aotearoa New Zealand
Mathematical modelling to inform New Zealand’s Covid-19 response
We describe the development of a stochastic mathematical model for the transmission and control of Covid-19 in New Zealand.
Modelling support for the continued elimination strategy
Te Pūnaha Matatini researchers model the effects of various different border policies and testing regimes for frontline border workers on COVID-19 reincursion risk.
Early intervention is the key to success in COVID-19 control
Economic comparison of the use of Alert Levels 3 and 4 for Auckland’s August outbreak
We compare the economic costs of containing Auckland’s August COVID-19 outbreak using Alert Level 3 to those that might have resulted from the use of Alert Level 4.
Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on New Zealand research students
This report – a letter prepared on behalf of Te Pūnaha Matatini Whānau – is a call for action to support emerging researchers in Aotearoa at this critical time.
Simulations of re-emergence and spread of COVID-19 in Aotearoa
Our researchers simulate the re-emergence and spread of COVID-19 in July/early August 2020, using a network model of all ~5 million people in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Auckland’s August 2020 COVID-19 outbreak – Cabinet advice
This paper summarises the modelling advice provided to Cabinet during the Auckland August 2020 outbreak, as well as detailing the methods used to provide that advice.
Likelihood of COVID-19 spreading outside Auckland
Our researchers find that the current effective reproduction number for COVID-19 in Auckland and the likelihood of cases occurring in other regions remains uncertain.
COVID-19 disinformation in Aotearoa New Zealand social media
Te Pūnaha Matatini investigators evaluate the prevalence and nature of COVID-19-related disinformation and unreliable narratives in New Zealand Aotearoa social media.
Potential reduction in transmission of COVID-19 by digital contact tracing systems
Our latest research suggests that COVID-19 contact tracing digital tools such as smartphone apps need to be designed to work hand in hand with manual contact tracing.
Managing the risk of a COVID-19 outbreak from border arrivals
Te Pūnaha Matatini researchers estimate the risk of community COVID-19 outbreak originating at the New Zealand border and provide some recommendations for managing future risk.
Successful contact tracing systems for COVID-19 rely on effective quarantine and isolation
Our modeling has shown that a high-quality, rapid contact tracing system, combined with strong support for people in quarantine or isolation, can be highly effective in reducing the spread of COVID-19.
Effect of New Zealand border controls on COVID-19 reincursion risk
Our researchers modelled various New Zealand border control measures and scenarios to assess the risk of COVID-19 re-entering the country from incoming international travellers.
Probability of elimination for COVID-19 in Aotearoa
Te Pūnaha Matatini researchers estimate there is a 95% probability that COVID-19 has been eliminated in Aotearoa New Zealand after 2-3 weeks with no new reported cases.
Effective reproduction number for COVID-19 in Aotearoa
Our researchers use a stochastic model to simulate COVID-19 spread in New Zealand, and report an estimate for its effective reproduction number (Reff) before and after implementation of Alert Level 4.
A structured model for COVID-19 spread
Te Punaha Matatini researchers have developed a structured model to look at the spread of COVID-19 in different groups within the New Zealand population.
New interactive app simulates COVID-19 spread
A New Zealand-specific interactive epidemic simulation app developed by Dr Audrey Lustig, Associate Investigator at Te Pūnaha Matatini, and hosted by the University of Auckland’s Centre for eResearch, has just been released.
Effect of Alert Level 4 measures on COVID-19 transmission
An analysis of interventions used around the world, equivalent to New Zealand’s Alert Levels 1-4, and their effect on the ability of COVID-19 to reproduce effectively.
Inequities in COVID-19 infection fatality rates in New Zealand
How equitable is our healthcare system? Our researchers and colleagues analysed available data to estimate COVID-19 infection fatality rates by ethnicity in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Modelling COVID-19 spread and the effects of Alert Level 4 in New Zealand
Our investigators model COVID-19 containment and elimination scenarios in New Zealand, as the country considers an exit from a four-week period of strong population-wide control measures.
Suppression and mitigation strategies for control of COVID-19 in New Zealand
Our researchers compared suppression and mitigation strategy outcomes in COVID-19 using a simple model with New Zealand-specific parameters.