Questions about New Zealand’s COVID Inquiry on Vaccine Mandates
The Ardern Labour government mandated that health and education workers be fully vaccinated—three doses—by Jan. 1, 2022.
The first stage of New Zealand’s Royal Commission of Inquiry into the COVID-19 response is complete, but the findings are not yet public. The report is set to be delivered to the government on Nov. 28.
Brooke van Velden, Internal Affairs Minister and ACT Party Deputy Leader, has decided to withhold the report until the second stage is finished, which may not be until early 2026.
Outgoing Commission chairperson Professor Tony Blakely, an epidemiologist and public health specialist, revealed that vaccine mandates caused “significant disadvantage and distress” to a “substantial minority” and should be carefully considered in future pandemics.
The mandates, introduced by the Ardern Labour government in October 2021, applied to health and education workers, with three doses required by Jan. 1, 2022. However, mandates for Police and Defence Force workers were overturned in court.
Justice Cooke found no evidence that vaccination significantly reduced the risk of Omicron transmission, meaning that the small number of unvaccinated individuals would not impact the risk of widespread transmission.
He also noted that alternatives such as redeployment or suspension were not considered by the government, and termination of employment was deemed disproportionate.
A study by the Auckland University of Technology highlighted the long-term negative effects of mandates on unvaccinated health workers, including decreased employment rates and earnings.
Despite issues raised by the study and other concerns, a poll showed that 74 percent of New Zealanders supported mandates for high-risk groups, while Blakely emphasized the need for caution in implementing broader mandates.
The report of the Royal Commission, which gathered substantial evidence over two years, is yet to be released. The second stage of the inquiry will delve into contentious issues like vaccine mandates, safety, and procurement.
