Former ministers decline to appear at Covid-19 Royal Commission

Wednesday 13 August 2025 · 8 outlets · 8 reports · updated Thu 14 Aug 2025, 11:04am

In this story Labour Party, Chris Hipkins, Jacinda Ardern, Ayesha Verrall, Grant Robertson, Covid-19 Royal Commission of Inquiry

A week of public hearings for the Covid-19 Royal Commission has been cancelled after former ministers, including Dame Jacinda Ardern, declined to appear. While the ministers say they continue to co-operate, coalition parties have criticised the decision as an attempt to avoid scrutiny.

How they headlined it

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1. NZ HeraldWed 13 Aug 2025, 3:01pm

   Former Prime Minister Dame Jacinda Ardern and other ministers refuse to appear in public before Royal Commission, but continue to co-operate (opens in new tab)

2. Otago Daily TimesWed 13 Aug 2025, 3:25pm

   Ardern, former ministers decline to appear at Covid inquiry (opens in new tab)

   • Coalition slams Covid ministers no-show at hearing (opens in new tab) Thu 14 Aug 2025, 9:08am
3. StuffWed 13 Aug 2025, 3:43pm

   Jacinda Ardern and Chris Hipkins decline request to appear at Covid Inquiry (opens in new tab)

4. 1NewsWed 13 Aug 2025, 4:19pm

   Ardern, Hipkins, Robertson, Verrall decline to appear at Covid inquiry (opens in new tab)

   • Coalition slams Labour ministers' no-show at Covid-19 public hearing (opens in new tab) Thu 14 Aug 2025, 11:04am
5. The Press via The PostWed 13 Aug 2025, 4:32pm

   Chris Hipkins says he’s been answering questions about Covid-19 for five years (opens in new tab)

   Also on The Post (opens in new tab), Waikato Times (opens in new tab)

6. RNZThu 14 Aug 2025, 6:47am

   Coalition parties slam former Labour ministers' no-show at Covid-19 hearing (opens in new tab)