Summary
New Zealand’s royal commission into its Covid-19 response found vaccine mandates were reasonable based on available data but acknowledged they harmed social cohesion.
The report praised the country’s elimination strategy for achieving one of the lowest Covid death rates among developed nations while preventing healthcare system collapse.
However, it criticized prolonged lockdowns, weak health system preparedness, and a lack of planning for future crises.
Commissioners urged broad investment in pandemic readiness and emphasized the importance of both frontline and planning staff.
A second phase of the inquiry will review vaccine harms and conclude in 2026.
I know Auckland lockdowns were longer and more difficult. But they are incorrect. They weren’t “the worst in the world”. Melbourne had the longest lockdowns in the world.
Auckland had an extra 3-4 months than the rest of the country (for a total of about 6, but Melbourne had basically 9 months.