Inquiry timeline Ngā wātaka o Te Uiui

This page outlines a timeline of the Inquiry's activities so far and into the future.

Timeline of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons Learned | Te Tira Ārai Urutā

5 December 2022

The Royal Commission is announced

The New Zealand Government announces The Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons Learned I Te Tira Ārai Urutā.

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1 February 2023

The Royal Commission begins

The Inquiry secretariat begins work to gather evidence.

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February-March 2023

Planning and establishment

The Inquiry conducts initial meetings with public service agencies, sets out a project plan in order to report by the required date, and appoints key staff to the secretariat.

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April-June 2023

Gathering public information

The Inquiry begins gathering the wide range of publicly available information about the COVID-19 response, reviewing over 1,300 documents.

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April-June 2023

Engaging with public service agencies

The Inquiry continues to meet with various agencies and other public service organisations to learn about the COVID-19 response.

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May 2023

Website launch

The Inquiry launches its website and makes media appearances to inform the public of its work.

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July-September

Direct engagements

The Inquiry focuses on direct engagements with key figures involved in the COVID-19 response, as well as representatives from health, education, and business sectors, and from Iwi and Māori organisations.

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July 2023

Visit to Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland

The Inquiry conducts its first visit to Auckland to hear pandemic experiences.

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September 2023

Visit to Tairāwhiti Gisborne

The Inquiry visits Tairawhiti Gisborne to hear pandemic experiences from health providers, education providers, local government, and Iwi organisations.

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September 2023

Visit to Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland

The Inquiry returns to Auckland for a second visit, meeting with large businesses, local government officials, Iwi and Māori organisations and ethnic community leaders.

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October-December 2023

Direct engagements continue

The Inquiry meets with education providers, service providers, and health providers online, in Pōneke Wellington, and around Aotearoa, with 153 engagements including more than 650 people during this time.

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October-December 2023

Synthesis of evidence

The Inquiry completes the first round of synthesis of all evidence received to date.

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October 2023

Preparing for public submissions

The Inquiry plans to launch submissions in November 2023. Submissions are deferred to February 2024 to enable the new Government to consider changes to the Inquiry’s terms of reference.

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October 2023

Visit to Ōtautahi Christchurch

The Inquiry visits Ōtautahi Christchurch to meet with health providers, aged care providers, businesses, rural and farming representatives, and local government.

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November 2023

Visit to Kirikiriroa Hamilton and Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland

The Inquiry visits Kirikiriroa Hamilton to engage with the health sector, local government officials, and businesses, and visits Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland for further engagements with businesses, social service providers, Pasifika and ethnic community representatives, and NZ Police.

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November 2023

Visit to Tāhuna Queenstown

The Inquiry engages with businesses and local government in Tāhuna Queenstown.

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January-March 2024

Evidence analysis

The Inquiry continues to analyse the evidence received from direct engagements to build findings about the pandemic response that will inform the final recommendations from the Inquiry.

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January-March 2024

Direct engagements continue

The Inquiry holds meetings in Pōneke Wellington, online, and around Aotearoa with the communications, business, media, research, and cultural sectors, and with community leaders and the disabled and rainbow communities, totaling 340 direct engagements with over 1600 people.

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February 2024

Public submissions open

The Inquiry launches public submissions, asking people to share their COVID-19 pandemic experiences and insights into preparing for any future pandemics. As part of this process, the Inquiry attends events around the country to promote the opportunity to make a submission.

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February 2024

Consultation on the terms of reference

The Government indicates it intends to expand the terms of reference for the Inquiry, and the Inquiry undertakes a public consultation about the terms of reference on the Government’s behalf.

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February 2024

Visit to Te Tai Tokerau Northland

The Inquiry meets with Iwi organisations, health providers, local government and emergency management officials, businesses, education and social service providers, members of the community involved in the pandemic response, older people, secondary school students, and workers.

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February 2024

Visit to Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland

The Inquiry meets with community groups, tertiary graduates and students, business owners, and the disabled community.

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February 2024

Visit to Tauranga

The Inquiry meets with horticultural workers.

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March 2024

Visit to Ōtepoti Dunedin

The Inquiry meets with representatives from charitable and not-for-profit organisations including social service providers, the disability community, ethnic communities, and representatives of other vulnerable communities, including refugees.

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March 2024

Visit to Ōtautahi Christchurch

The Inquiry meets with young people, Ngāi Tahu, and community volunteers.

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March 2024

Visit to Heretaunga Hastings

The Inquiry meets with seasonal workers and Pasifika communities.

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March 2024

Public submissions and terms of reference consultations close

Both opportunities close at the end of March 2024.

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April-June 2024

Direct engagements continue

The Inquiry continues to meet with various organisations in government and in the health and social sectors.

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April-June 2024

Evidence analysis continues

The Inquiry reviews further evidence to begin formulating lessons learned.

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May 2024

Submissions results

Analysis of public submissions is completed. The Government announces receipt of the feedback on the terms of reference.

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June 2024

Phase Two announced

The New Zealand Government announces that the Inquiry will occur over two phases. Phase Two will begin in November 2024 and will involve new Commissioners and an expanded terms of reference.

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August-September 2024

Natural justice process for Phase One

The Inquiry must ensure that any person mentioned in an adverse finding is aware of the matters on which the finding is based and has had the opportunity to respond to those matters.

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2 August 2024

New Commissioner appointed

Grant Illingworth KC is appointed as Commissioner for the Inquiry.

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27 August 2024

Phase Two announcements

Judy Kavanagh and Anthony Hill are appointed as Phase 2 Commissioners alongside Grant Illingworth KC, who will act as Chair for Phase Two. Terms of reference for Phase Two are announced.

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28 November 2024

Phase One report delivered

The Phase One report, which covers all topics included in the current terms of reference, is completed and delivered.

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29 November 2024

Phase Two begins

Phase Two of the Inquiry, with new Commissioners and an expanded terms of reference, begins. This Phase is due to report February 2026.

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26 February 2026

Phase Two ends

The final report of Phase Two is due and the Inquiry ends.

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