Lay summary
COVID-19 continues to be challenging to address. District Health Boards (DHBs) are the lead regional response health organisations. This project is focused on building a research-practice partnership between Nelson Marlborough DHB Public Health Service and Preventive and Social Medicine (University of Otago), to improve COVID-19 preparedness, response, and recovery in public health, community, and primary healthcare; with a specific focus on equitable outcomes for Māori. Relationship development with key stakeholder groups, including iwi and hapū of Te Tau Ihu, and PHOs across the region is a primary focus. Stakeholders will be invited to participate in a consensus building, priority setting process. Its purpose will be to understand the issues around achieving optimal levels of population protection; then focus on establishing clear, agreed research priorities for pandemic preparedness, response, and recovery. They will form the basis for future health delivery activity and research development to achieve better population health outcomes.