Progress update - January

On 8 December 2022 the Government announced the appointment of a Royal Commission of Inquiry to look at the lessons learned from Aotearoa New Zealand’s response to COVID-19 that should be applied in preparation for any future pandemic. 

The three members of the Royal Commission are Professor Tony Blakely (Chair), Hon. Hekia Parata, and John Whitehead.

The Secretariat for the Royal Commission of Inquiry is currently being established and the Royal Commission is planning its approach to its work.  Anita West has been appointed as the Executive Director to head the Royal Commission’s Secretariat.  Following a request from the Royal Commission, the Solictor-General has appointed Jane Meares as Counsel Assisting the Royal Commission.

The Royal Commission of Inquiry’s Terms of Reference provide that from 1 February 2023 the inquiry may begin considering evidence.  The Royal Commission’s current focus is on identifying and considering the significant amount of information that is already publicly available.

Over the coming months the Royal Commission of Inquiry will share more information on how it plans to operate.  The Inquiry’s final report is due 26 June 2024.