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Summarised by Centrist
The government has received the final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID.
Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden said the government “welcomes the delivery of the final report” and argued the inquiry’s second phase was necessary because “New Zealanders told us they weren’t satisfied with the narrow terms of the first phase”.
The coalition expanded the scope in November 2024 to include “the use of lockdowns and vaccine mandates”, and whether ministers properly considered impacts “on society, our health and education, and on our economy”.
Van Velden added that “the social and financial costs of the pandemic response continue to be felt” and warned: “We simply cannot afford to repeat the same mistakes again.”
The full report will be tabled in Parliament on 10 March.
Alia Bee of Voices for Freedom drew attention to procedural details in what she described as “Minute 6”, noting that much of the inquiry evidence sat under a Section 15 order, accessible only to commissioners and staff. “Large parts will stay restricted,” she wrote, questioning how “transparent” the process will be.
She also pointed out that expected public hearings with decision-makers did not occur. “The Commission chose not to use its powers to compel,” she said, with former leaders instead interviewed in private.
While transcripts of some figures will be released, others “are permanently off the table,” and interviewees concerned about “harassment” may request withholding.
Read more over at The Beehive and on X
