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Philippa Howden-Chapman is the Sesquicentennial Distinguished Professor of Public Health in the Department of Public Health at the University of Otago, Wellington, Faculty of Medicine. With qualifications including an MA (Hons 1), PhD (1987, University of Auckland), Diploma in Teaching, and Diploma in Clinical Psychology, she trained as a clinical psychologist and began her career in secondary-school teaching before entering public health. She served as Programme Director and Co-Director of the He Kāinga Oranga / Housing and Health Research Programme, Co-Director of the New Zealand Centre for Sustainable Cities, and Lead Researcher for the Resilient Urban Futures programme. Additional appointments include directorship on the board of Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities, chair of the World Health Organization Housing and Health Guideline Development Group, and supervision of 33 doctoral students. She recently retired from the department in March 2026 and delivered the Distinguished Research Medal lecture in 2024. She teaches PUBH714 Public Policy and Health Systems.
Her academic interests focus on reducing health inequalities through housing improvements, conducting randomised community trials in partnership with local and Māori communities. Her research has demonstrated benefits from insulation, efficient heating, and ventilation standards, influencing New Zealand policies including the Healthy Homes Guarantee Act, Warmer Kiwi Homes programme, and Winter Fuel Payment, leading to 600,000 homes retrofitted and reduced hospitalisations for infectious, respiratory, and cardiovascular diseases. Internationally, it contributed to WHO Housing and Health Guidelines and policy in 72 countries. She has produced over 600 papers and 70 books and book chapters, including *Housing and Health* (2004), *Sizing up the City: Urban Form and Transport in New Zealand* (2010), *Homes People Can Afford: How to Improve Housing in New Zealand* (2013), *Home Truths: Confronting New Zealand's Housing Crisis* (2015), and *Drivers of Urban Change* (2015). Major honours encompass the University of Otago Distinguished Research Medal (2023), Rutherford Medal (2021), Prime Minister’s Science Prize (2014), Dame Joan Metge Medal (2008), Liley Medal, CNZM (2021), QSO (2009), FRSNZ (2013), and NEXT Woman of the Year (2018).
A University of Otago study analyzes national data showing disabled Kiwis enter emergency housing 6.2% more frequently and stay longer due to accessibility shortages.
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