- Public Health Researcher, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University
Dr Simon Opit is a Research Officer at SHORE & Whariki Research Centre, Massey University. His research investigates the critical relationships between housing, transport, and urban design, examining how these interconnected systems influence social equity and health outcomes. His current research examines urban systems through three interconnected lenses: affordable alternative housing tenures and pathways to homeownership, accessible housing designs, and equitable active transport solutions for underserved communities.
Experience
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–presentPublic Health Researcher, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University
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2017–2022Postdoctoral fellow, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University
Education
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2018The University of Auckland, Doctor of Philosophy in Geography
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2012The University of Auckland, Master of Arts in Geography
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2011The University of Auckland, Bachelor of Arts Honours in Geography
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2010The University of Auckland, Bachelor of Arts in Geography and Sociology
Publications
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2026Tackling ableism in sport and active recreation to ensure participation parity for disabled young people in Aotearoa New Zealand, Sociology of Sport Journal
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2025Overcoming barriers to delivering active travel infrastructure through inter-agency collaboration in a state-led neighbourhood redevelopment, Case Studies on Transport Policy
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2024Adapting Q Methodology to Tackle Ableism and Increase Participation of Disabled Young People in Sport, Physical Education, and Active Recreation, Sage Research Methods: Diversifying and Decolonizing Research
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2024Challenging the inequities of ebike access: An investigation of a community-led intervention in a lower-income neighbourhood in Aotearoa-New Zealand, Journal of Transport & Health
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2021Facebook as soft infrastructure: Producing and performing community in a mixed tenure housing development, Housing Studies
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2021Density in the suburbs: families with children adapting to living in a medium density social housing development, Urban Policy and Research
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2020Housing pathways, aspirations and preferences of young adults within increasing urban density, Housing Studies
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2014Selling a natural community: Exploring the role of representations in promoting a new urban development, New Zealand Geographer
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2011Kids in the city study: research design and methodology, BMC Public Health
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2010Can virtual streetscape audits reliably replace physical streetscape audits?, Journal of Urban Health
Grants and Contracts
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2025Tackling Inequities in Access to School Grounds in Tāmaki Makaurau
- Role:
- Principal Investigator
- Funding Source:
- Massey University
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2024Affordable Alternative Housing Tenure Pathways
- Role:
- Principal Investigator
- Funding Source:
- BRANZ
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2020Affordable Housing for Generations
- Role:
- Co-Investigator
- Funding Source:
- National Science Challenges: Building Better Homes, Towns And Cities
Research Areas
- Built Environment And Design (12)
- Health Promotion (111712)
- Human Geography Not Elsewhere Classified (160499)
- Transport Planning (120506)
- Urban Policy (160514)
Contact Simon for
- General
- Media request
- Speaking request
- Consulting / Advising
- Research collaboration
- Research supervision
