The inquiry's first report emphasizes the importance of vaccine mandates to curb virus spread, acknowledging that while effective, they have caused social division.
Commissioners identified that contentious public health measures like vaccine mandates eroded initial public support, leading to social divisiveness exacerbated by misinformation.
Former Covid response minister Chris Hipkins acknowledged the challenges of managing vaccine distribution and the lengthy lockdown, admitting that public support had diminished.
The commission stressed New Zealand's pandemic response saved approximately 20,000 lives, but revealed significant gaps in health system preparedness for future crises.
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