The first report from a Royal Commission of Inquiry to review New Zealand’s response to the Covid pandemic was due to be released this month.
The NZ coalition government’s plan to withhold Covid inquiry findings until 2026 leaves the country ill-prepared for the next pandemic, according to experts.
In The Conversation, mathematical modelling experts UC Professor Michael Plank and Shaun Hendy delve into the government’s decision and its potential impact on the country’s preparedness for future pandemics. The article highlights the urgency of learning from past experiences and the risks of delaying critical information.
Discover how New Zealand’s approach compares to Australia’s recent inquiry and what steps are necessary to ensure the nation is ready for the next health crisis. Read this important discussion on The Conversation.
Disclosure statement
Shaun Hendy received funding from the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment and the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet for mathematical modelling of Covid-19 during the pandemic while at Waipapa Taumata Rau-the University of Auckland. He now works at Toha, a privately-owned company, but is an adjunct professor at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington.
Michael Plank received funding from the Ministry of Health for mathematical modelling of Covid-19 during the pandemic. He also receives funding from Te Niwha and was a co-author of the 2023 report on Likely Future Pandemic Agents and Scenarios.
