The Unit is comprised of Tony Hughes, Research Director and Dr Peter Saxton, Senior Researcher. Together, the Unit brings over 35 years of experience working in various aspects of HIV research, public policy, prevention, sexual orientation and human rights law reform.

The NZAF Research Unit prioritises the direct dissemination of scientific knowledge into HIV prevention and has a commitment to rigour and strategic analysis. Current work areas include:

Behavioural surveillance (GAPSS and GOSS)

The Unit leads the Gay Auckland Periodic Sex Survey (GAPSS) and the Gay men’s Online Sex Survey (GOSS)/Te Rangahau Tane ai Tane in collaboration with the AIDS Epidemiology Group at the University of Otago. This is an ongoing study identifying trends in HIV risk behaviours among MSM in order to better understand patterns in HIV diagnoses and inform prevention.

Scientific and strategic advice

The Unit provides advice aimed at increasing New Zealand’s understanding of complex issues affecting the control of HIV among MSM. This typically addresses recent scientific findings or emerging issues in the community. Topics have included the biology of HIV transmission, re-emergent STI epidemics among MSM, epidemic transmission processes, sexual orientation data collection, and blood donation.

Analysis of HIV epidemiology data

Data provided by the AIDS Epidemiology Group at the University of Otago are analysed by the Research Unit to generate further insights into patterns of HIV spread among MSM in New Zealand.

Collaborative research projects

In addition to the GAPSS and GOSS studies, the Research Unit is involved in research collaborations with other institutions from time to time in varying capacities. The largest of these has been HIV Futures New Zealand/Mate Aaraikore a muri ake nei with the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne.

Other activities

The research team contributes in many other ways to the management of HIV in New Zealand. Tony Hughes is an expert member of the government’s AIDS Medical and Technical Advisory Committee. Dr Peter Saxton regularly reviews abstracts submitted to the International AIDS Conferences and has reviewed for the international journals Sexual Health and Sexually Transmitted Infections.