The Guardian – Asia Pacific

New Zealand Covid Response Among World’s Best but ‘Scars’ Remain, Inquiry Finds

A royal commission report released in March 2026 concluded that New Zealand’s Covid‑19 response was among the world’s most effective, crediting low death rates and aggressive elimination tactics. The inquiry focused on the 2021‑2022 shift from elimination to a suppression strategy, assessing vaccine mandates, lockdowns, and testing systems. While praising the overall outcome, the commission highlighted delayed adaptation to new variants and the social fallout from prolonged restrictions. It delivered 24 recommendations aimed at improving trust, agility, and preparedness for future pandemics.