Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden has officially received the phase 1 report from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19, marking the conclusion of the first stage of the review into New Zealand’s highly contentious pandemic response.
Commissioners Professor Tony Blakely and John Whitehead, who led the initial phase, have now stepped down from their roles.
“The delivery of the phase 1 report marks the conclusion of phase 1 of the Inquiry,” said van Velden.
“In June, I announced there would be a second phase of the Inquiry into COVID-19, covering outstanding matters of public concern including vaccine mandates and safety as well as the impact on social and economic disruption. Phase 2 will begin gathering evidence from 29 November 2024, and I strongly encourage the public to have their say by emailing InquiryintoCOVID-19lessons@dia.govt.nz from tomorrow.”
Phase 2 of the inquiry will be chaired by Grant Illingworth KC, a litigation specialist with a career spanning nearly five decades. Illingworth has conducted high-profile cases in New Zealand’s Court of Appeal, Privy Council, and Supreme Court, with a particular focus on public law, constitutional issues, and disciplinary proceedings across professional sectors. His expertise will be complemented by Judy Kavanagh, a public policy professional and economist with experience evaluating regulatory systems and making evidence-based policy recommendations. Kavanagh’s background includes a decade at the Productivity Commission and significant research in infrastructure policy. Joining them is Anthony Hill, a barrister with an extensive career in New Zealand’s health and disability sectors, including a decade as Health and Disability Commissioner. Hill’s work has spanned governance roles, funding oversight of District Health Boards, and legal counsel positions within government ministries.
The terms of reference for phase 2 were shaped by more than 13,000 public submissions during consultations earlier this year. The expanded inquiry will delve into highly contentious issues such as vaccine mandates and their societal impacts, ensuring public concerns are addressed in depth. Both the ACT-National and New Zealand First-National coalition agreements underscore the political priority of expanding the inquiry’s scope.
Speaking of Phase 2’s findings, van Velden said, “I look forward to seeing the final report of the Royal Commission at the end of phase 2, which is due to me by 26 February 2026. The inquiry remains a cornerstone of our commitment to learning lessons from the pandemic and ensuring New Zealand is better prepared for the future.”
Phase 2 begins on 29 November 2024, with the public encouraged to participate in shaping its outcomes.
The phase 1 report is now publicly available at the Royal Commission’s website. The full terms of reference for phase 2 of the Inquiry is available here.
