Hipkins defends decision to skip public Covid-19 inquiry hearings

Thursday 14 August 2025 · 2 outlets · 3 reports · updated Thu 14 Aug 2025, 2:45pm

In this story Labour Party, Chris Hipkins, Jacinda Ardern, Ayesha Verrall, Grant Robertson

Chris Hipkins has defended the decision to skip the second set of public Covid-19 Royal Commission hearings. While Prime Minister Christopher Luxon claimed former ministers were summonsed to appear, the Commission has chosen not to use its power to force attendance.

How they headlined it

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1. NZ HeraldThu 14 Aug 2025, 7:53am

   Chris Hipkins defends decision on skipping Covid-19 Royal Commission inquiry public hearings (opens in new tab)

2. StuffThu 14 Aug 2025, 12:27pm

   Seymour called them ‘lockdown overlords’. Here’s their response to claims they won't front up to the Covid inquiry (opens in new tab)

   • Luxon claims Ardern was ‘summonsed’ to Covid Inquiry. She wasn’t (opens in new tab) Thu 14 Aug 2025, 2:45pm