Areas of expertise

  • Health services and systems
  • Public health
  • Paediatrics
  • Health equity
  • Infant and child health
  • Pacific Peoples health and wellbeing
  • Housing policy

Education and Qualifications

Associate Professor – University of Waikato Public Health Physician

Assoc. Professor Polly Atatoa-Carr

Associate Professor Polly Atatoa Carr is a member of the Pacific Data Sovereignty Exepert Advisory Group and sits on the Pacific Data Sovereignty Board of Trustees.

Her research and clinical practice focuses on the broader determinants of population health and wellbeing equity, particularly for tamariki and rangatahi/mapū within the context of whānau and community. Polly is passionate about developing robust evidence to support population health and policy translation, and is committed to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, anti-racism intervention, equity, social justice and community empowerment.


In addition to her role as Associate Professor of Population Health in Te Ngira (Institute for Population Research) at the University of Waikato, Polly is also a Public Health Physician within Child and Youth Health at Te Whatu Ora Waikato, and National Director of Training for the New Zealand College of Public Health Medicine.