COVID-19 Inquiry Receives More Than 31,000 Submissions
Press Release – Royal Commission Covid-19 Lessons Learned
Its clear that the pandemic is still top of mind for many people in Aotearoa New Zealand, particularly those areas like Auckland and Northland that were affected by longer lockdowns during the COVID-19 response, says Grant Illingworth KC, Chair …
Phase Two of Te Tira Ārai Urutā – the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons Learned has received more than 31,000 submissions from community groups, businesses, organisations and the wider public.
'My fellow Commissioners and I sincerely thank everyone who shared their COVID-19 experience with the Inquiry. We are grateful to those who took the time to make a submission, especially on topics that still bring difficult memories for many people,' says Grant Illingworth KC, Chair of the COVID-19 Inquiry.
Phase Two of the COVID-19 Inquiry began on 29 November 2025. The public submissions portal closed on Sunday 27 April 2025.
The COVID-19 Inquiry received submissions from every region in Aotearoa New Zealand, from Te Tai Tokerau Northland to Murihiku Southland. The region with the highest number of submissions was Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, with just under 7,500 submissions. The Inquiry also saw large numbers of submissions coming from Te Tai Tokerau Northland and Whakatū Nelson.
'It's clear that the pandemic is still top of mind for many people in Aotearoa New Zealand, particularly those areas like Auckland and Northland that were affected by longer lockdowns during the COVID-19 response,' says Mr Illingworth.
The Inquiry also heard from a range of ethnic groups and communities (NZ European, Māori, Pasifika, Asian communities, and those from the Middle East and Latin America), as well as a range of age groups (from under 18 to over 85). Nearly 25% of submissions came from those aged 55-64. The Inquiry heard from a wide range of people, with the majority of submissions coming from women (almost 60%).
Phase Two of the COVID-19 Inquiry is tasked with looking at the key decisions made by the New Zealand Government during 2021 and 2022 on vaccine mandates, safety, and approvals, the use of lockdowns, and testing, tracing, and non-pharmaceutical public health materials (like masks). Some of these topics, like vaccine safety, were not included in Phase One of the Inquiry, while others build on the work of Phase One – like lockdowns and mandates. The overall purpose of the COVID-19 Inquiry is to review Aotearoa New Zealand's response to the COVID-19 pandemic to help prepare for future pandemics.
'We have heard from New Zealanders on all topics that are a focus for Phase Two,' says Mr Illingworth. 'We are seeing that vaccine mandates and vaccine safety are a priority for most submitters, followed by the use of lockdowns.'
The sentiment of submissions ranges widely, from those who are critical of the New Zealand Government's response as a whole, to those who are positive about the overall response, as well as many who hold mixed views about the response.
As well as considering the submissions received during Phase Two, the Inquiry will also be considering any non-confidential submissions from Phase One that cover topics being assessed in Phase Two, as well as information provided during the consultation on the Inquiry's terms of reference in early 2024.
'The COVID-19 Inquiry is focused on addressing the questions the public wants answered about the pandemic, and making sure the concerns and experiences of everyone who experienced Aotearoa's pandemic response are heard,' says Mr Illingworth.
The Inquiry will continue seeking evidence through meetings with key decision-makers and advisers, engagements with impacted communities, and public hearings to be held later in 2025.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
7 hours ago
- Scoop
Factory Farms And The Next Pandemic: How Industrial Animal Agriculture Fuels Global Health Threats
Throughout human history, zoonotic diseases, illnesses that jump from animals to humans, have shaped civilizations, triggered pandemics, and rewritten the course of economies. The Black Death, which ravaged Europe in the 14th century, originated from bacteria transmitted by fleas that lived on rats. Ebola, HIV, and SARS-CoV-2, which caused COVID-19, all had animal origins. As humanity's relationship with animals has become increasingly industrialized through factory farming, the risk of zoonotic spillover has escalated. Some diseases are transmitted through direct contact with animals, such as rabies from a bite or tuberculosis from infected cattle. Others spread through the consumption of poorly cooked meat, contaminated dairy products, or wet markets that sell live animals. Vector-borne diseases, where insects like mosquitoes and ticks act as intermediaries, transfer pathogens from animals to humans. Factory Farms and the Growing Threat of Zoonotic Pandemics The intensification of industrial agriculture has amplified these risks. The crowded, high-density conditions of factory farms create a breeding ground for disease. Animals raised in confined spaces experience high levels of stress, which weakens their immune systems and increases their susceptibility to infections. When a pathogen emerges in this environment, it can mutate rapidly and spread with alarming efficiency. This is particularly concerning with influenza viruses, which frequently originate in birds and pigs before adapting to humans. Bird flu has been detected in sheep, raising concerns about the virus's ability to cross species boundaries. Such a discovery underscores the unpredictability of zoonotic diseases, particularly in terms of cross-species transmission and the potential for rapid evolution of health threats. Philip Lymbery, author and global CEO of Compassion in World Farming, thinks the danger is serious: 'Factory farms are a ticking time bomb for future pandemics,' he says. 'Hundreds of coronaviruses are in circulation, most of them among animals including pigs, camels, bats, and cats. Sometimes those viruses jump to humans.' Antibiotics, widely used in industrial farming to promote growth and prevent disease, exacerbate the issue. Overuse has led to the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which can jump to humans through direct exposure, contaminated food, or environmental runoff from farms. The World Health Organization has repeatedly warned that antibiotic resistance could become one of the greatest threats to human health, rendering common infections untreatable. COVID-19 was a wake-up call, but it was not the first time a zoonotic virus wreaked havoc on global health. The HIV/AIDS epidemic, which originated from nonhuman primates, has killed over 40 million people since it emerged in the 20th century. The 2009 H1N1 swine flu pandemic, which was linked to pig farming, spread globally within months. Bird flu strains continue to pose a significant threat, with highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) causing sporadic human infections, resulting in a fatality rate of over 50 percent. Reimagining Protein: Innovations That Could Prevent the Next Pandemic Despite these risks, the global demand for animal protein is surging. Humans now eat 350 million metric tons of meat annually, nearly 'a thousand Empire State Buildings in carcass weight,' according to academic and writer Tim Searchinger. The United Nations estimates that meat production will increase by more than 70 percent by 2050. This trajectory presents challenges not only for climate change, deforestation, and water pollution but also for the likelihood of future pandemics. However, emerging innovations in food technology present possible solutions. Precision fermentation and cultivated meat are being explored as methods to reduce dependence on traditional livestock. Precision fermentation, which is used to produce dairy-identical proteins without the need for cows, utilizes engineered microbes to create compounds such as whey and casein. Cultivated milk, bio-identical to cow milk but grown in a bioreactor rather than in a cow, is expected to enter the market soon. Cultivated meat, grown from animal cells in bioreactors, provides real meat without the need for slaughterhouses or crowded factory farms. These technologies have the potential to transform global protein production, significantly lowering the risk of zoonotic disease spillover. Because they bypass live animals, they eliminate the risks associated with confined feeding operations, antibiotic resistance, and cross-species viral mutations. Studies suggest that precision fermentation and cultivated dairy could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 96 percent compared to conventional dairy farming. Jeff Tripician, who has worked in the meat industry for 40 years, recently moved to head a cultivated meat company based in the Netherlands. He told the Future of Foods Interviews podcast that, 'Cultivated meat is the only solution on the table.' In regard to bird flu, he went on to say that, 'Livestock disease could wipe out huge areas of herds. We're seeing that in the U.S. with egg-laying hens. Eight percent of the supply has been euthanized.' Challenges for alternative proteins remain, including regulatory hurdles, production scaling issues, and consumer acceptance barriers. Governments worldwide are still determining how to classify and approve these products for sale, with Singapore leading the way in regulatory approval for cultivated meat. The U.S., Israel, and UK regulators are following closely behind, but widespread commercialization is still a few years away. Affordability is also a concern. Although costs are declining, cultivated meat remains significantly more expensive than conventional meat. However, as production scales, prices are expected to fall. A Turning Point: Reducing Pandemic Risk Through Food System Reform The transition away from industrial animal farming will take time, but the need for change is apparent. If the world continues down its current path, the risks of future pandemics will only grow. Addressing this problem requires serious attention, including government policies that promote alternative proteins, investment in food technology, and increased public awareness of the health impacts of factory farming. Experts in epidemiology, virology, and food innovation continue to examine the intersection of food production and disease risk. Dr. Michael Greger, physician and author of Bird Flu: A Virus of Our Own Hatching, has long warned about the pandemic potential of factory farming. Dr. Rob Wallace, an evolutionary biologist and author of Big Farms Make Big Flu, examines how industrial agriculture fuels the evolution of viruses. Journalists covering the relationship between food, health, and climate change will need to monitor closely how food production impacts disease risk. There is no single solution, but reducing reliance on industrially farmed animals could significantly lower the likelihood of the next global pandemic. Author Bio: Alex Crisp is a freelance journalist focusing on environment, animal welfare, and new technology. He has a background in law, journalism, and teaching. He is the host of theFuture of Foods Interviews podcast.
Otago Daily Times
10 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
Wastewater more reliable: prof
University of Otago epidemiologist Michael Baker. Photo: file With another wave of Covid-19 on the horizon, wastewater testing has become a more reliable sign of community infection than self-reporting, a Dunedin expert has said. University of Otago epidemiologist Michael Baker said since last week, wastewater testing in Dunedin and across the country showed a "consistent sharp spike" in detection of SARS-CoV-2, or the Covid-19 virus. "This rise suggests we are seeing the beginning of a new wave of Covid-19 infection across New Zealand." In the past week, the Southern district recorded 96 new cases of Covid-19, tied for second-most in the country with Canterbury and behind Waitematā (141). However, an apparent strong decrease in testing and self-reporting across New Zealand meant wastewater was a more useful indication of infection in the community, Prof Baker said. "A lot more people will be walking around not knowing they've got the infection and not able to take preventive measures to infect other people. "So it has weakened our support for preventing transmission." Otago Primary Principals' Association president Kim Blackwood said while schools were seeing plenty of general illness, few cases were confirmed to be Covid-19. "They've got one or two cases, but it's not impacting majorly at this point." As Covid-19 tests were no longer free, "the question that has to be asked is whether people are testing". "Because I'm not sure that they are." Prof Baker appeared to agree. Removing government support for Covid-related sick leave in 2023 contributed to a "sharp drop" in testing. "That's when the wastewater [virus detection] line stayed fairly high, and the self-reported line started to dip. "And then, of course, a year later, we removed the free [rapid antigen tests], and I think there was also an even bigger divergence between those two lines." While it appeared another Covid-19 wave was emerging "we don't know how big or how prolonged it'll be", Prof Baker said. Now was the time for people to get a booster vaccine, "particularly if you're over 65 or have underlying illnesses, or pregnant". Recent hospitalisations due to Covid-19 were not immediately available.
NZ Herald
a day ago
- NZ Herald
YouTube loosens rules guiding the moderation of videos
For years, YouTube has removed videos with derogatory slurs, misinformation about Covid-19 vaccines, and election falsehoods, saying the content violated the platform's rules. But since United States President Donald Trump's return to the White House, YouTube has encouraged its content moderators to leave up videos with content that may break
