Tēnā koutou katoa,

The Phase One report of the COVID-19 Inquiry is now live.

After many months of development, our report is complete. It was delivered to the Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon Brooke van Velden, today. Phase One of the Inquiry has now concluded.

Phase One of the Inquiry has looked back, honestly and scrupulously, to draw out the many lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and help ensure Aotearoa New Zealand is as prepared as possible for any future pandemic.

While we can’t know with any certainty when or where the next pandemic will take place, or what form it might take, we do know there will be future pandemics. While the future may be uncertain, we are not powerless: as our report sets out, there are practical steps Aotearoa New Zealand can take now to ensure that whatever situation we face, we are better prepared.

Our report provides recommendations to the Government that will help Aotearoa New Zealand achieve this goal. They are designed to support coordinated, collaborative and efficient pandemic preparation and decision-making, no matter what the next pandemic (or national emergency) looks like. While our recommendations are directed at central government, other communities and groups (including iwi and Māori organisations, non-governmental organisations, local government and the private sector), may find aspects of our lessons and recommendations useful to their own pandemic planning.

We would like to thank everyone who has so generously shared their pandemic experience and insights with Phase One of the COVID-19 Inquiry and helped make our work possible. We greatly appreciate the time and effort that went into providing evidence and submissions, or meeting with us. We know that sharing COVID-19 experiences isn’t always easy.

Thank you to those working in central and local government and in the private and not-for-profit sectors, who shared their reflections and expertise so openly and helped us connect with key communities to gather the additional information we needed. We acknowledge that for many people in our communities, COVID-19 and its effects remain an ongoing concern for their own health, or the health of their loved ones. Many people in Aotearoa New Zealand also continue to live with significant emotional, financial and social impacts from their pandemic experience. For all these people, the COVID-19 pandemic is not over.

Finally, thank you to all the staff at the Inquiry: our Executive Director Dr Justine Cornwall and former Executive Director Anita West, former Commissioner Hon Hekia Parata, our Counsel Assist Jane Meares and Asher Emanuel, and to every member of the Secretariat. It has been a privilege to work with you all.

It has been an honour and a privilege to serve as Commissioners for Phase One of the COVID-19 Inquiry. It is now time for Phase Two to continue this important mahi to ensure Aotearoa New Zealand is ready to prepare for, and to face, future emergencies.

Ngā mihi maioha,

Professor Tony Blakely, John Whitehead, and Grant Illingworth KC

Read the report.