Covid-19 Royal Commission public hearings

The story so far

The Royal Commission of Inquiry into New Zealand's Covid-19 response began its first public hearings in early July 2025, with submissions focusing on the impacts of lockdowns and vaccines.^{7 Jul 2025} Families and businesses described financial losses and disruption to schooling.^{7 Jul 2025} Business leaders from Auckland and Northland described profound impacts of public health restrictions on small and medium businesses, and one suggested future vaccine mandates would not be effective.^{7 Jul 2025} People with Long Covid expressed disappointment that their voices would not be prioritised in the hearings of phase two.^{7 Jul 2025} Labour leader Chris Hipkins claimed the inquiry's terms of reference were deliberately designed to provide a platform for conspiracy theorists.^{8 Jul 2025}

Latest

The first session of public hearings in Auckland concluded after a week, with testimony from researchers and from the nursing, midwifery and mandated industries.^{11 Jul 2025}

Key moments

1. 7 Jul 2025Long Covid sufferers say their voices will not be prioritised in hearings.
2. 7 Jul 2025Royal Commission begins first public hearings on lockdown and vaccine impacts.
3. 7 Jul 2025Business leaders describe profound impacts of restrictions and mandates on firms.
4. 8 Jul 2025Chris Hipkins claims inquiry terms give conspiracy theorists a platform.
5. 11 Jul 2025First session of hearings in Auckland concludes after a week.

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.