Asia & Pacific

NZ COVID Inquiry Questions Vaccine Mandates

The Ardern Labour government had required health and education workers to be fully vaccinated—then defined as three doses—by Jan. 1, 2022.
NZ COVID Inquiry Questions Vaccine Mandates
Police stand guard as protesters against COVID-19 vaccine mandates and restrictions gather near parliament grounds in Wellington, New Zealand, on March 2, 2022. Dave Lintott/AFP via Getty Images
Rex Widerstrom
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The first stage of New Zealand’s Royal Commission of Inquiry into the COVID-19 response is complete, but the findings remain under wraps. The report is due to be handed to the government on Nov. 28.

Brooke van Velden, Internal Affairs Minister, and ACT Party Deputy Leader, has refused to release it until the second stage is complete, which may not happen until early 2026.

Rex Widerstrom
Rex Widerstrom
Author
Rex Widerstrom is a New Zealand-based reporter with over 40 years of experience in media, including radio and print. He is currently a presenter for Hutt Radio.