more to come

from the National Party

from ACT

[Yesterday], New Zealand finally got what Labour never wanted: a proper account of the covid-19 response.

This report exists because ACT fought for it. Brooke van Velden led the work to expand the inquiry’s terms of reference, informed by public submissions and focused on the questions New Zealanders still wanted answered – questions Labour’s version never even asked. We now have something real to learn from, and a chance to make sure the social, economic, and human costs are never brushed aside again.

And I’m writing to you today to make sure the people responsible never get the chance to do this again.

New Zealanders made huge sacrifices during covid. Many supported the initial response in 2020. But this final report confirms what so many people already knew from experience: the Government went too far, for too long, and ignored the wider cost.

It finds that:restrictions were initially balanced, but later extended beyond what public health advice recommended.

Treasury’s warnings that spending should be timely, temporary, and targeted were ignoredtens of billions were sprayed across programmes, many unrelated to the pandemicspending ramped up house prices and caused the cost of living to soar

Auckland stayed locked down longer than officials advised was necessary

Ministers were warned against a two-dose vaccine mandate on 12–17 year olds because of myocarditis risks, but kept the mandate anywayopportunities to improve decision-making were repeatedly missed

the debt built up during that period has left New Zealand weaker and more exposed today

That is a devastating indictment.

And it matters because the people responsible want back in power – yet refused to front up to the inquiry.

Jacinda Ardern and Grant Robertson are gone. But Chris Hipkins, who was responsible for much of the response, is now Labour leader. Ayesha Verrall, another central figure from that time, is Labour’s health spokesperson. They want New Zealand to forget. ACT will not let that happen.

This report was only possible because ACT secured a coalition commitment to expand the inquiry beyond Labour’s narrow, self-protective version.

Labour’s original inquiry sidestepped the real pain of lockdowns, mandates, school closures, business collapse, inflation, debt, mental health damage, and the breakdown in social cohesion.

Brooke van Velden changed that. She delivered the broader inquiry New Zealanders deserved, with public hearings and real input from the people who actually lived through the consequences.

That is what ACT does. We don’t just say the right thing in opposition and then go quiet in Government. We use the leverage you gave us to force transparency, expose failure, and push for better.

from NZ First