1.2 Aotearoa New Zealand's COVID-19 experience Ngā wheako o Aotearoa mō te mate KOWHEORI-19

1.2.1 Overall, Aotearoa New Zealand’s COVID-19 response was effective

Compared to other jurisdictions, Aotearoa New Zealand’s COVID-19 response was effective at both protecting people from the health effects of the virus, and minimising the potential economic, social and wellbeing impacts of a global pandemic. That is not to say the response was perfect; it wasn’t, and challenges emerged as the response wore on. We look at these challenges, and other areas where lessons can be learned, in the following chapters.

Pandemics are first and foremost health emergencies, and the public health response to COVID-19 in Aotearoa New Zealand successfully prevented widespread infection until most of the population was vaccinated. In doing so, it is estimated to have saved thousands of lives.² Aotearoa New Zealand’s health system was never overwhelmed in the terrifying and devastating way those in other countries were, and many of the potentially unequal health impacts on disadvantaged or vulnerable populations – importantly including Māori, given their experience in the 1918 pandemic – were minimised or mitigated.

The benefits of Aotearoa New Zealand’s COVID-19 response also went beyond public health. The initial success of the elimination strategy allowed the country to spend less time under strict lockdown conditions than many other parts of the world, meaning daily life and economic activity were able to return to ‘normal’ much earlier. This was coupled with a swift and generous economic and social response which cushioned many people and businesses from the pandemic’s worst impacts.

While these benefits were not achieved without costs – which the coming chapters will also discuss – it is important that we begin this report with an acknowledgement of the success of Aotearoa New Zealand’s response on a range of measures. It was praised as an exemplar around the world, especially in the first two years. For a lessons-focused Inquiry like ours, there is as much to learn about preparing for a future pandemic from what went well during Aotearoa New Zealand’s COVID-19 response as there is about what could have gone better.

In this chapter, we present some key international comparisons that illustrate the effectiveness of Aotearoa New Zealand’s overall COVID-19 response. For more detail and analysis on the topics and issues highlighted, see the corresponding chapter(s) indicated throughout the text.