Centre of Methods and Policy Application in the Social Sciences
Source: https://www.compass.auckland.ac.nz/ Parent: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/arts.html
COMPASS uses quantitative methodologies to answer policy-relevant questions, to improve health, wellbeing, and equity in Aotearoa
Our team of researchers have experience and expertise in a range of disciplines and social science research methodologies. COMPASS has a broad health and wellbeing focus, uniquely positioning it to address research questions related to the impacts of key societal changes.
COMPASS uses three main methodological approaches in its research. First, COMPASS analyses whole population administrative data to understand equity and wellbeing, particularly using data from the Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI). Second, COMPASS analyses survey data to understand New Zealanders’ attitudes, views, and wellbeing status. COMPASS runs annual social attitudes surveys as one of ~50 countries involved in the International Social Survey Programme (www.issp.org), thus enabling the views of New Zealanders to be compared to other countries. Third, COMPASS assesses the impact of policies using ‘micro-simulation’ – simulating the life-course development of individuals over time.
Rare Aware Podcast: Lisa Underwood
by Suzanne Woodward | January 15, 2026 | News | 0 Comments
Lisa Underwood, Senior Research Fellow at COMPASS was interviewed for the Rare Aware Podcast. She talked about her research on Rare Disorders in Aotearoa and community work with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex New Zealand (https://www.tsc.org.nz/). Underwood, L., &...
Publication: Mental health conditions and self-harm and assault
by Suzanne Woodward | January 12, 2026 | News | 0 Comments
COMPASS researchers, Barry Milne and Steph D’Souza, published a paper with collaborators from New Zealand (University of Otago), USA (University of Michigan, Duke University), and Norway Norwegian Institute of Public Health), which demonstrated the increased risk of...
Media – Stats NZ: Grinding gears in data’s “big machine”
by Suzanne Woodward | December 1, 2025 | News | 0 Comments
COMPASS Director, Barry Milne, was interviewed by Radio New Zealand for a news story on how well the IT infrastructure supporting the Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI) is - or is not – working: Stats NZ: Grinding gears in data’s “big machine.” Radio New Zealand...
Student Achievement
by Suzanne Woodward | November 10, 2025 | News | 0 Comments
COMPASS PhD Student Alexia Searchfield won the New Investigator Award at the Paediatric Society of New Zealand (PSNZ) conference in Manukau!! Congratulations to Alexia! https://forumpoint2.eventsair.com/psnz-76th-annual-meeting-2025/
Funding success: Associated New Zealand ME Society Grant
by Suzanne Woodward | November 7, 2025 | News | 0 Comments
COMPASS Researcher Natalia Boven was awarded an Associated New Zealand ME Society (ANZMES) grant with a project titled, “Identifying child and adolescent predictors of adult ME/CFS and Long Covid”. The project is supported by a multidisciplinary team, including Dr...
Webinar: The purpose and relevance of survey design for a population census and population statistics
by Suzanne Woodward | November 4, 2025 | Events, News | 0 Comments
Wednesday 19 November 2025 You can access the recording here: https://phonz.org.nz/webinars COMPASS Director, Barry Milne, presented at the Public Health Observatory of New Zealand (PHONZ) webinar on 19 November, “The purpose and relevance of survey design for a...
Our People
Meet our team of researchers, and our collaborators.
Projects
Read about the projects that the COMPASS team has undertaken.
Publications
Browse the list of journal articles, technical reports, and other outputs from our research.
Short Courses
Browse the social science research methods courses we run as the NZ Social Statistics Network.
Browse links to other centres, organisations, and resources within our research community.