Photo: RNZThe second phase of the Covid-19 response inquiry has found the government's response was effective but late and not communicated well enough to people. Public divisions and anger over the pandemic response in part prompted the second phase begun in December 2022, amid questions if phase one had gone far enough. Phase two looked at four areas of pandemic response from February 2021 to October 2022:- vaccine approval and safety. "These topics, and the time period covered ... capture some of the most difficult and divisive elements of New Zealand's pandemic response," the report said. - Produce regulatory impact statements in future pandemics, and update the Cabinet rules so pandemic decisions get reviewed.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 10, 2026 00:46 UTC