VHIN Introduction to Research in the IDI

Date: 23 February 2026, 8:30am -4:00pm

Modality:  In person

Duration: 1 day

Price: $550 (incl. GST)

Short course structure and topics covered: 

This course provides an orientation to Statistics New Zealand’s Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI) and discusses some of the opportunities and major issues around its use for research. It is taught by experienced IDI researchers from a growing team of trained instructors, and includes ample time for discussion, questions, and networking with other course participants.

The value of routine data and its potential usefulness to research has never been greater, and the IDI has led the way internationally in this area. It comprises anonymised microdata about people and households from a range of government agencies, surveys, censuses since 2013, and non-government organisations. The IDI can be a fantastic research resource, but successful research requires knowledge and contacts often not available to new users. This course provides information on appropriate people to contact, and resources through which IDI users may build their knowledge bases.

We introduce the IDI, provide practical tips on its use, and use examples from a number of projects including the “A Better Start” and “Healthier Lives” National Science Challenges. The final session of the day includes additional presentations from a panel of established IDI users, and a question-and-answer session with them as well.

Learning outcomes: 

• Participants will gain an understanding of the structure of the IDI, including the spine, IDs and data refreshes. 
• Participants will learn how data safety and confidentiality considerations are built into the IDI and how Māori data sovereignty is accounted for. 
• Participants will understand what is possible (and what is not) in using the IDI, including the types of data that are available and the possibilities and limitations around importing and linking external data.

Who should attend? Any entry requirements?

This course would be of interest to a wide range of researchers and analysts in government agencies, academics, policymakers, health professionals, and postgraduate students in these situations.

This course is one of the prerequisites for our hands-on course, Practical Skills for IDI Data Analysis. It also requires some experience with statistical coding e.g. in R, SAS or SQL. 

We also offer an Introduction to SQL. You can find more infor on this course here: https://shortcourses.auckland.ac.nz/courses/introduction-to-sql. 

This course is sponsored by the Virtual Health Information Network (https://www.vhin.co.nz), which offers a wide range of resources to support new IDI users, including a Facebook group, shared program code, and a monthly webinar series.

If you want further advice on whether this course is right for you, please email nzssncourses@auckland.ac.nz.

Payment for short courses is normally by credit card. If you need to pay by invoice or require assistance, please email shortcourses@auckland.ac.nz. Please note the University does not issue individual invoices for amounts less than $500 New Zealand dollars.

By enrolling in a Short Course at the University of Auckland you agree to the Short Course Terms and Conditions