Former ministers and Covid-19 Royal Commission

The story so far

A week of public Covid-19 Royal Commission hearings in August 2025 was cancelled after former ministers, including Dame Jacinda Ardern, declined to appear.^{13 Aug 2025} The ministers say they continue to co-operate, but coalition parties have criticised the decision as an attempt to avoid scrutiny.^{13 Aug 2025} Chris Hipkins defended skipping the second set of public hearings. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon claimed former ministers were summonsed to appear, but the Commission has not used its power to force attendance.^{14 Aug 2025} Former finance minister Grant Robertson also defended declining an invitation to appear, describing the process as a "show trial".^{17 Aug 2025}

Key moments

1. 13 Aug 2025Week of public Covid-19 Royal Commission hearings cancelled after former ministers decline to appear
2. 14 Aug 2025Luxon says ministers were summonsed; Commission has not used its power to compel attendance
3. 17 Aug 2025Robertson calls the inquiry process a "show trial" while releasing his memoir

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