M.B.B.S., Diplomate of the National Board (DNB) General Surgery, DPH 
Research Fellow HERIU
Contact details
Email neilenuonelly.rentta@otago.ac.nz
Research interests and activities
Dr Neilenuo Nelly Rentta is a Research Fellow in the Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand.
Nelly has a clinical background, having trained and worked as a General Surgeon before doing her Public Health studies at the University of Otago, Wellington.
Nelly works in the University of Otago Health Protection Aotearoa Research Centre (
Her more recent work around rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease included her role as a lead author for the Aotearoa New Zealand rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease guidelines 2024 update.
Nelly’s other current research activities include a Te Niwha funded project led by Professor Michael Baker on Infectious Disease Surveillance in New Zealand as well as a Cochrane review on Exposure to nitrate and nitrite in drinking water and cancer.
Publications
Rentta, N. N., Hume, C., Pirikahu, S., Kvalsvig, A., & Baker, M. (2025). A total system review of infectious disease surveillance in Aotearoa New Zealand. Proceedings of the Infectious Diseases & Pandemic Preparedness Summit. (pp. 28). Retrieved from https://www.teniwha.com Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Anderson, A., Mills, C., Rentta, N., Devlin, G., Farrant, B., Kando, I., … Webb, R. (2025). Aotearoa New Zealand Guidelines for the Prevention, Diagnosis, and Management of Acute Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease: 2024 Update. Commissioned by Health New Zealand / Te Whatu Ora. Wellington, New Zealand: Health New Zealand / Te Whatu Ora. 367p. Retrieved from https://www.tewhatuora.govt.nz/ Commissioned Report for External Body
Rentta, N. N., Hume, C., Kvalsvig, A., Pirikahu, S., & Baker, M. G. (2025). A total system review of infectious disease surveillance in Aotearoa New Zealand. Proceedings of the Communicable Diseases and Immunisation Conference (CDIC). 114. Retrieved from https://www.cdic2025.com/ Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Chambers, T., Willink, R., Reynolds, A., Anglemyer, A., Royal, H., Rentta, N., … Picetti, R. (2024). Exposure to nitrate and nitrite in drinking water and cancers (Protocol). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 3, CD015822. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD015822 Journal - Research Other
Kvalsvig, A., Wilson, N., Jackson, C., Timu-Parata, C., Rentta, N., & Baker, M. (2023). Are we ready to eliminate invasive meningococcal disease in Aotearoa New Zealand? The Briefing, (17 August). Retrieved from https://www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/are-we-ready-eliminate-invasive-meningococcal-disease-aotearoa-new-zealand Journal - Research Other