The New Zealand First Party wants to investigate whether people who lost their jobs over the Covid-19 vaccine mandate could receive compensation from the Crown. Instead, the manifesto pledges to "end all vaccine mandates....and hold a credible, fully independent inquiry into New Zealand’s Covid-19 response." Polls show NZ First's support may be required by the National Party to form a government after Saturday's election. Both the Labour Party and NZ First have ruled out working with each other. The final Covid-19 restrictions ended in August, and then-Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced a Royal Commission of Inquiry into NZ's response to the Covid-19 pandemic last December.

Source: New Zealand Herald October 11, 2023 19:18 UTC