About us
The Human Health Research Services (HHRS) Platform has supported dozens of researchers and investigators to achieve research success since we launched in 2021. HHRS is a Waipapa Taumata Rau University of Auckland-wide platform hosted by the Liggins Institute, a research-focused institute with a worldwide reputation.
The HHRS Platform is built on the combined legacy of the National Institute for Health Innovation (NIHI) and specialist teams from the Liggins Institute. We bring together decades of experience in running large-scale clinical trials and studies, managing complex data, and achieving outstanding long-term participant follow-up.
The HHRS Platform is dedicated to supporting everyone engaged in human health research, with a strong emphasis on end-to-end data management, study coordination and follow-up, clinic space hire, statistical and health economics support. Work with us and you’ll be in safe hands.
Who we are
Bringing expertise to your project
Whether you’re an emerging researcher or a more experienced primary investigator, we’ve got the people to help you get your research project started, manage the data for your trial and analyse it once it’s complete.
Use our ready-to-go service and you won’t need to employ your own additional staff. We have statisticians, study coordinators, follow-up assessors, database designers and even nursing staff and phlebotomists.
Our Services
Helping you achieve research success
Our research experience
World-leading research
The Human Health Research Services (HHRS) Platform is a Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland platform hosted by the Liggins Institute.
Waipapa Taumata Rau is New Zealand’s leading higher education institution and a comprehensive, research-intensive university. It consistently ranks among the world’s best — placing 65th in the 2025 QS World University Rankings, 150th equal in the 2024 Times Higher Education World Rankings, and 5th in the world for sustainability in the 2024 QS World University Rankings.
A platform built on decades of expertise
Although the HHRS Platform was formally launched in 2021, its foundations stretch back more than three decades. By bringing together the legacy and expertise of the National Institute for Health Innovation (NIHI) and specialist teams from the Liggins Institute, the HHRS Platform is built on a rich history of clinical research, innovation, and impact.
The legacy of NIHI
Established in 1989 as the Clinical Trials Research Unit (CTRU), NIHI was internationally recognised for leading large-scale health research.
What began as a unit focused on pharmaceutical-funded clinical trials grew into a multidisciplinary centre delivering public good-funded research, digital health innovation and government–industry service contracts.
In 2011, CTRU merged with the original NIHI to form the National Institute for Health Innovation. Over the next 14 years, NIHI led studies across nutrition, addictions, mental health, physical activity, child and youth wellbeing, and health equity. The PEP trial and the PROGRESS trial were managed by NIHI, and results of both trials were published in The Lancet. Other notable trials were the STOMP trial – the first text-message-based smoking cessation programme and the RAUORA study.
Specialist expertise from the Liggins Institute
Founded in 2001, the Liggins Institute brought together internationally recognised scientists to focus on developmental biology and its application to human health. The Liggins Institute focuses on improving lifelong health through excellent research into the determinants of a healthy life: before conception and at every stage of the lifespan. Alongside this research mission, Liggins developed specialist service teams that now form an integral part of the HHRS Platform:
- The Clinical Research Unit (CRU) opened in 2005. Our trials are designed to deliver robust, translatable outcomes, particularly in maternal, child and lifelong health, with a proven track record of influencing clinical practice and policy. It has supported landmark trials such as Sugar Babies and TARGET and is currently supporting many trials including C*STEROID and MoPED.
- Data Team – providing data management and statistical expertise for large, complex trials including GEMS and DIAMOND.
- Follow-up Team – internationally recognised for outstanding participant retention, including ANCHOR and hPOD.
Today
The HHRS Platform in action
By uniting the legacy of NIHI with the specialist expertise of the Liggins teams, the HHRS Platform combines decades of proven capability in clinical research, data-driven innovation, and long-term participant engagement.
Since its launch in 2021, the HHRS Platform has already supported dozens of researchers and investigators to achieve research success – and continues to build on this heritage to advance human health research in Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond.