Nevil Pierse, Department of Public Health, Our people, University of Otago, Wellington, University of Otago, New Zealand

Nevil Pierse 186 x 230

BSc (Maths and Stats), MSc (Statistics), PhD

Research Professor

Deputy Director of He Kainga Oranga/Housing and Health Research Programme

Contact details
Research interests and activities
Publications

Contact details

Tel 64 4 918 6853
Fax 64 4 389 5319
Email nevil.pierse@otago.ac.nz

Research interests and activities

Research Professor Nevil Pierse is Deputy Director of He Kainga Oranga | Housing and Health Research Programme. Originally a statistician by training, his current work is done in partnership with a wide variety of stakeholders including government and community organisations, and is focused on the design and implementation of randomised trials in the home and community.

His previous studies have shown the benefits of efficient home heating and insulation, which was instrumental in the $300 Million EECA, Warm Up New Zealand, Heat Smart programme. Nevil’s other previous work includes the HRC funded Home Injury Prevention Intervention, which showed that simple home repairs and modification reduced the number of falls in homes by 27%. He was part of the group awarded the 2014 NZ Prime Ministers Prize for Science. He is currently working on the SHELTHER study which looks at home interventions to prevent rehospitalisation of children with respiratory disease. Nevil current leads the 'Ending Homelessness in New Zealand: Housing First' MBIE funded research programme.

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Publications

Howden-Chapman, P., Pierse, N., & Fraser, B. (2023). Housing and urban regeneration in Aotearoa New Zealand. The Briefing, (21 February). Retrieved from https://www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/housing-and-urban-regeneration-aotearoa-new-zealand

Howden-Chapman, P., Crane, J., Keall, M., Pierse, N., Baker, M. G., Cunningham, C., … Aspinall, C., Bennett, J., Bierre, S., … Chisholm, E., Davies, C., Fougere, G., Fraser, B., Fyfe, C., … Halley, C., … Olin, C., Ombler, J., O'Sullivan, K., Pehi, T., Penny, G., … Randal, E., Riggs, L., Robson, B., Ruru, J., Shaw, C., … Teariki, M. A., Telfar Barnard, L., Tiatia, R., … Viggers, H., … Zhang, W. (2023). He Kāinga Oranga: Reflections on 25 years of measuring the improved health, wellbeing and sustainability of healthier housing. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand. Advance online publication. [Review].

Pierse, N., Ombler, J., Chun, S., Fraser, B., White, M., Aspinall, C., … Howden-Chapman, P., … Jiang, T., & Atatoa-Carr, P. E. (2022). Two-year post-housing outcomes for a Housing First cohort in Aotearoa New Zealand. European Journal of Homelessness, 16(2), 121-144. Retrieved from https://www.feantsaresearch.org/en/publications/european-journal-of-homelessness

Chisholm, E., Robertson, O., Howden-Chapman, P., & Pierse, N. (2022). Does the proportion of public housing tenants in a community affect their wellbeing? Results from New Zealand: A retrospective cohort study using linked administrative data. Cities, 131, 103916. doi: 10.1016/j.cities.2022.103916

Fraser, B., Jiang, T., Cordue, H., & Pierse, N. (2022). Housing, instability, and discrimination amongst Takatāpui/LGBTIQ+ youth in Aotearoa New Zealand. Youth, 2, 339-351. doi: 10.3390/youth2030025

Howden-Chapman, P., Chisholm, E., Telfar Barnard, L., Viggers, H., O'Sullivan, K., Bennett, J., Bierre, S., Preval, N., Randal, E., Tiatia, R., Ombler, J., Amore, K., Rivera-Muñoz, G., … Davies, C., Aspinall, C., Oliver, J., Baker, M., Keall, M., … Crane, J., & Pierse, N. (2017). Housing, energy and health in resilient cities. In P. Howden-Chapman, L. Early & J. Ombler (Eds.), Cities in New Zealand: Preferences, patterns and possibilities. (pp. 95-106). Wellington, New Zealand: Steele Roberts Aotearoa.

Chapter in Book - Research

Baker, M. G., Gurney, J., Moreland, N. J., Bennett, J., Oliver, J., Williamson, D. A., Pierse, N., … Merriman, T. R., … Edwards, R., … Thomson, W. M., Zhang, J., & Lennon, D. (2022). Risk factors for acute rheumatic fever: A case-control study. Lancet Regional Health: Western Pacific. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2022.100508

Journal - Research Article

Chisholm, E., Pierse, N., & Howden-Chapman, P. (2022). Perceived benefits and risks of developing mixed communities in New Zealand: Implementer perspectives. Urban Research & Practice, 15(2), 275-298. doi: 10.1080/17535069.2020.1801831

Journal - Research Article

Fraser, B., Chisholm, E., & Pierse, N. (2022). A failed attempt at participatory video with Takatāpui/LGBTIQ+ people who had experienced homelessness. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 21. doi: 10.1177/16094069221103663

Journal - Research Article

Fraser, B., Chun, S., Pehi, T., Jiang, T., Johnson, E., Ombler, J., … Pierse, N. (2022). Post-housing first outcomes amongst a cohort of formerly homeless youth in Aotearoa New Zealand. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1080/03036758.2022.2088572

Journal - Research Article

Harris Clark, I. K., Chun, S., O'Sullivan, K. C., & Pierse, N. (2022). Energy poverty among tertiary students in Aotearoa New Zealand. Energies, 15, 76. doi: 10.3390/en15010076

Journal - Research Article

Nathan, K., Robertson, O., Atatoa Carr, P., Howden-Chapman, P., & Pierse, N. (2022). Residential mobility and potentially avoidable hospitalisations in a population-based cohort of New Zealand children. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1136/jech-2021-218509

Journal - Research Article

Shorter, C., Crane, J., Barnes, P., Kang, J., Honeywill, C., Robertson, O., O'Sullivan, K., Telfar-Barnard, L., Pierse, N., & Howden-Chapman, P. (2022). The cost of achieving healthy temperatures in children's bedrooms: Evidence from New Zealand. Energy Policy, 164, 112861. doi: 10.1016/j.enpol.2022.112861

Journal - Research Article

Walker, G. J., Stelzer-Braid, S., Shorter, C., Honeywill, C., Wynn, M., Willenborg, C., Barnes, P., Kang, J., Pierse, N., Crane, J., Howden-Chapman, P., & Rawlinson, W. (2022). Viruses associated with acute respiratory infection in a community-based cohort of healthy NZ children. Journal of Medical Virology, 94, 454-460. doi: 10.1002/jmv.25493

Journal - Research Article

Chisholm, E., Pierse, N., & Howden-Chapman, P. (2021). What is a mixed-tenure community? Views from New Zealand practitioners and implications for researchers. Urban Policy & Research, 39(1), 33-47. doi: 10.1080/08111146.2020.1863780

Journal - Research Article

Fraser, B., Chisholm, E., & Pierse, N. (2021). "You're so powerless": Takatāpui/LGBTIQ+ people's experiences before becoming homeless in Aotearoa New Zealand. PLoS ONE, 16(12), e0259799. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259799

Journal - Research Article

Fraser, B., White, M., Cook, H., Chisholm, E., Ombler, J., Chun, S., … Pierse, N. (2021). Service usage of a cohort of formerly homeless women in Aotearoa New Zealand. SSM Population Health, 15, 100842. doi: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2021.100842

Journal - Research Article

Howden-Chapman, P., Fyfe, C., Nathan, K., Keall, M., Riggs, L., & Pierse, N. (2021). The effects of housing on health and well-being in Aotearoa New Zealand [ Ngā pānga o ngā whare noho ki te hauora me te toiora i Aotearoa]. New Zealand Population Review, 47, 16-32. Retrieved from https://population.org.nz/latest-journals/

Journal - Research Article

Keall, M. D., Tupara, H., Pierse, N., Wilkie, M., Baker, M. G., Howden-Chapman, P., & Cunningham, C. (2021). Home modifications to prevent home fall injuries in houses with Māori occupants (MHIPI): A randomised controlled trial. Lancet Public Health, 6(9), e631-e640. doi: 10.1016/s2468-2667(21)00135-3

Journal - Research Article

Oliver, J., Bennett, J., Thomas, S., Zhang, J., Pierse, N., Moreland, N. J., Williamson, D. A., Jack, S., & Baker, M. (2021). Preceding group A streptococcus skin and throat infections are individually associated with acute rheumatic fever: Evidence from New Zealand. BMJ Global Health, 6, e007038. doi: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-007038

Journal - Research Article

Oliver, J., Robertson, O., Zhang, J., Marsters, B. L., Sika-Paotonu, D., Jack, S., Bennett, J., Williamson, D. A., … Pierse, N., & Baker, M. G. (2021). Early release-ethnically disparate disease progression and outcomes among acute rheumatic fever patients in New Zealand, 1989–2015. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 27(7), 1893-1901. doi: 10.3201/eid2707.203045

Journal - Research Article

Robertson, O., Nathan, K., Howden-Chapman, P., Baker, M. G., Atatoa Carr, P., & Pierse, N. (2021). Residential mobility for a national cohort of New Zealand-born children by area socioeconomic deprivation level and ethnic group. BMJ Open, 11, e039706. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-039706

Journal - Research Article

Chisholm, E., Pierse, N., Davies, C., & Howden-Chapman, P. (2020). Promoting health through housing improvements, education and advocacy: Lessons from staff involved in Wellington's Healthy Housing Initiative. Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 31, 7-15. doi: 10.1002/hpja.247

Journal - Research Article

Oliver, J., Upton, A., Jack, S. J., Pierse, N., Williamson, D. A., & Baker, M. G. (2020). Distribution of streptococcal pharyngitis and acute rheumatic fever, Auckland, New Zealand, 2010-2016. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 26(6), 1113-1121. doi: 10.3201/eid2606.181462

Journal - Research Article

Pierse, N., White, M., Ombler, J., Davis, C., Chisholm, E., Baker, M., & Howden-Chapman, P. (2020). Well Homes Initiative: A home-based intervention to address housing-related ill health. Health Education & Behavior, 47(6), 836-844. doi: 10.1177/1090198120911612

Journal - Research Article

Rangiwhetu, L. J., Pierse, N., Chisholm, E., & Howden-Chapman, P. (2020). Public housing and well-being: Evaluation frameworks to influence policy. Health Education & Behavior, 47(6), 825-835. doi: 10.1177/1090198120917095

Journal - Research Article

Shaw, C., Boulic, M., Longley, I., Mitchell, T., Pierse, N., & Howden-Chapman, P. (2020). The association between indoor and outdoor NO₂ levels: A case study in 50 residences in an urban neighbourhood in New Zealand. Sustainable Cities & Society, 56, 102093. doi: 10.1016/j.scs.2020.102093

Journal - Research Article

Telfar Barnard, L., Howden-Chapman, P., & Pierse, N. (2020). Renting poorer housing: Ecological relationships between tenure, dwelling condition, and income and housing-sensitive hospitalizations in a developed country. Health Education & Behavior, 47(6), 816-824. doi: 10.1177/1090198120945923

Journal - Research Article

Bennett, J., Davy, P., Trompetter, B., Wang, Y., Pierse, N., Boulic, M., … Howden-Chapman, P. (2019). Sources of indoor air pollution at a New Zealand urban primary school: A case study. Atmospheric Pollution Research, 10, 435-444. doi: 10.1016/j.apr.2018.09.006

Journal - Research Article

Fraser, B., Pierse, N., Chisholm, E., & Cook, H. (2019). LGBTIQ+ homelessness: A review of the literature. International Journal of Environmental Research & Public Health, 16(15), 2677. doi: 10.3390/ijerph16152677

Journal - Research Article

Kristono, G. A., Shorter, C., Pierse, N., Crane, J., & Siebers, R. (2019). Endotoxin, cat and house dust mite allergens in electrostatic cloths and bedroom dust. Journal of Occupational & Environmental Hygiene, 16(1), 89-96. doi: 10.1080/15459624.2018.1536827

Journal - Research Article

Lawson-Te Aho, K., Fariu-Ariki, P., Ombler, J., Aspinall, C., Howden-Chapman, P., & Pierse, N. (2019). A principles framework for taking action on Māori/Indigenous homelessness in Aotearoa/New Zealand. SSM Population Health, 8, 100450. doi: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2019.100450

Journal - Research Article

Nathan, K., Robertson, O., Atatoa Carr, P., Howden-Chapman, P., & Pierse, N. (2019). Residential mobility and socioemotional and behavioural difficulties in a preschool population cohort of New Zealand children. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, 73, 947-953. doi: 10.1136/jech-2019-212436

Journal - Research Article

Pierse, N., Ombler, J., White, M., Aspinall, C., McMinn, C., Atatoa-Carr, P., … Fraser, B., Cook, H., & Howden-Chapman, P. (2019). Service usage by a New Zealand Housing First cohort prior to being housed. SSM Population Health, 8, 100432. doi: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2019.100432

Journal - Research Article

Atatoa Carr, P., Pawar, S., Graham, R., McMinn, C., Nelson, J., Ombler, J., & Pierse, N. (2018). Housing First in Hamilton: Who were first housed? Parity, 31(10), 56-58.

Journal - Research Article

Berry, M. J., Foster, T., Rowe, K., Robertson, O., Robson, B., & Pierse, N. (2018). Gestational age, health, and educational outcomes in adolescents. Pediatrics, 142(5), e20181016. doi: 10.1542/peds.2018-1016

Journal - Research Article

Doyle, H., Pierse, N., Tiatia, R., Williamson, D., Baker, M., & Crane, J. (2018). The effect of the oral probiotic Streptococcus salivarius (K12) on Group A streptococcus pharyngitis: A pragmatic trial in schools. Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal, 37(7), 619-623. doi: 10.1097/INF.0000000000001847

Journal - Research Article

Jack, S. J., Williamson, D. A., Galloway, Y., Pierse, N., Zhang, J., Oliver, J., … Baker, M. G. (2018). Primary prevention of rheumatic fever in the 21st century: Evaluation of a national programme. International Journal of Epidemiology, 47(5), 1585-1593. doi: 10.1093/ije/dyy150

Journal - Research Article

Oliver, J., Foster, T., Kvalsvig, A., Williamson, D. A., Baker, M. G., & Pierse, N. (2018). Risk of rehospitalisation and death for vulnerable New Zealand children. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 103(4), 327-334. doi: 10.1136/archdischild-2017-312671

Journal - Research Article

Oliver, J., Foster, T., Williamson, D. A., Pierse, N., & Baker, M. G. (2018). Using preceding hospital admissions to identify children at risk of developing acute rheumatic fever. Journal of Paediatrics & Child Health, 54(5), 499-505. doi: 10.1111/jpc.13786

Journal - Research Article

Oliver, J., Malliya Wadu, E., Pierse, N., Moreland, N. J., Williamson, D. A., & Baker, M. G. (2018). Group A Streptococcus pharyngitis and pharyngeal carriage: A meta-analysis. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 12(3), e0006335. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006335

Journal - Research Article

Oliver, J., Pierse, N., Williamson, D. A., & Baker, M. G. (2018). Estimating the likely true changes in rheumatic fever incidence using two data sources. Epidemiology & Infection, 146(2), 265-275. doi: 10.1017/S0950268817002734

Journal - Research Article

Prasad, N., Trenholme, A. A., Huang, Q. S., Thompson, M. G., Pierse, N., Widdowson, M. A., … and SHIVERS team. (2018). Interactive effects of age and respiratory virus on severe lower respiratory infection. Epidemiology & Infection, 146(4), 1861-1869. doi: 10.1017/s0950268818002017

Journal - Research Article

Rangiwhetu, L., Pierse, N., Viggers, H., & Howden-Chapman, P. (2018). Cold New Zealand council housing getting an upgrade. Policy Quarterly, 14(2), 65, 73.

Journal - Research Article

Shorter, C., Crane, J., Pierse, N., Barnes, P., Kang, J., Wickens, K., … Stanley, T., … Howden-Chapman, P., and the Wellington Research General Practicioner Research Network. (2018). Indoor visible mold and mold odour are associated with new-onset childhood wheeze in a dose-dependent manner. Indoor Air, 28(1), 6-15. doi: 10.1111/ina.12413

Journal - Research Article

Thompson, M. G., Pierse, N., Huang, Q. S., Prasad, N., Duque, J., Newbern, E. C., Baker, M. G., … on behalf of the SHIVERS investigation team, including Williamson, D. A. (2018). Influenza vaccine effectiveness in preventing influenza-associated intensive care admissions and attenuating severe disease among adults in New Zealand 2012–2015. Vaccine, 36(39), 5916-5925. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.07.028

Journal - Research Article

Keall, M. D., Pierse, N., Howden-Chapman, P., Guria, J., Cunningham, C. W., & Baker, M. G. (2017). Cost—benefit analysis of fall injuries prevented by a programme of home modifications: A cluster randomised controlled trial. Injury Prevention, 23(1), 22-26. doi: 10.1136/injuryprev-2015-041947

Journal - Research Article

Khieu, T. Q. T., Pierse, N., Telfar-Barnard, L. F., Zhang, J., Huang, Q. S., & Baker, M. G. (2017). Modelled seasonal influenza mortality shows marked differences in risk by age, sex, ethnicity and socioeconomic position in New Zealand. Journal of Infection, 75(3), 225-233. doi: 10.1016/j.jinf.2017.05.017

Journal - Research Article

Oliver, J. R., Pierse, N., Stefanogiannis, N., Jackson, C., & Baker, M. G. (2017). Acute rheumatic fever and exposure to poor housing conditions in New Zealand: A descriptive study. Journal of Paediatrics & Child Health, 53(4), 358-364. doi: 10.1111/jpc.13421

Journal - Research Article

Rangiwhetu, L., Pierse, N., & Howden-Chapman, P. (2017). Effects of minor household interventions to block draughts on social housing temperatures: A before and after study. Kōtuitui, 12(2), 235-245. doi: 10.1080/1177083X.2017.1372787

Journal - Research Article

Lane, C. R., Carville, K. S., Pierse, N., & Kelly, H. A. (2016). Seasonal influenza vaccine effectiveness estimates: Development of a parsimonious case test negative model using a causal approach. Vaccine, 34(8), 1070-1076. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2016.01.002

Journal - Research Article

Pierse, N., Carter, K., Bierre, S., Law, D., & Howden-Chapman, P. (2016). Examining the role of tenure, household crowding and housing affordability on psychological distress, using longitudinal data. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, 70(10), 961-966. doi: 10.1136/jech-2015-206716

Journal - Research Article

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