The Ministry of Health will work with other agencies to rapidly deliver on the commitments outlined in Government's Response to the Royal Commission of Inquiry COVID-19 Lessons Learned.
Deputy Director-General, Public Health and Mental Health, Dr Andrew Old says the Government's Response accepted the majority of the Inquiry's 63 recommendations, either in full, partially or in principle.
'Work on many of the Inquiry's recommendations is already underway across government,' Dr Old says.
'As Lead Response Agency, the Ministry will work with our partners to rapidly deliver on any outstanding recommendations in line with the priorities set out in the Government's Response.
'This work will focus on ensuring New Zealand is prepared for future pandemics and that any response is proportionate, responsive and transparent. Maintaining public trust and confidence in any future pandemic response will be a critical part of that.'
The Government's Response is focused on:
- building economic and fiscal resilience
- strengthening communication and public trust
- strengthening governance, oversight and strategic capability
- preparing pandemic plans, exercises and response structures
- ensuring fit for purpose legal powers, decision safeguards and democratic accountability
- strengthening health system resilience and public health tools
- maintaining sector continuity, essential services, and social supports.
The Inquiry found that New Zealand's initial response to COVID-19 was balanced and appropriate, and that New Zealand broadly did well responding to the pandemic. The report also highlighted the process for approving COVID-19 vaccines and monitoring safety was robust and effective.
Additional information
The Royal Commission on Inquiry was established on 9 December 2022 to examine New Zealand's response to COVID-19 and identify the lessons learned that should be applied in future.
In November 2024, the Government announced an expansion on the scope of the Inquiry to include a review of the key decisions taken by the Government in New Zealand's response to COVID-19 during 2021 and 2022. The Inquiry's final report was published in March 2026.
The Ministry of Health is the Lead Response Agency to the Inquiry, supporting Health Minister Simeon Brown as Lead Response Minister.
The final report can be found on the Inquiry's website and the Government's response on the Ministry of Health website at Government Response to the New Zealand Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons Learned.
