Acknowledgements | He mihi

The work of a Royal Commission of Inquiry is a truly substantial undertaking; one that involves extensive time, commitment, effort and expertise from many, many people. As Commissioners, we are privileged to have led this work.

 
Since 2020, COVID-19 has either caused or contributed to the deaths of an estimated 5,500 people in New Zealand, a devastating loss for the country.¹ For a significant number of those who lived through COVID-19, the effects are ongoing. The emotional, social and financial impacts of their pandemic experience remain with them still. When all the friends and whānau of those who suffered or continue to suffer are included in the count, the damage caused by the SARS-Cov-2 virus (the strain of coronavirus causing COVID-19) has been truly immense – the biggest event to affect this country in generations.

To those who have suffered harm, we acknowledge each of you and give you our solemn assurance that – while some of the facts, figures and findings set out in this report may seem remote from what you experienced – we have been constantly aware of what so many of you have endured. We have therefore approached the submission of this report with a deep sense of the responsibility and significance of the task we were asked to undertake.

We thank the thousands of people, both in Aotearoa New Zealand and overseas, who shared their insights and experiences with the Inquiry. Throughout Phase Two, the Inquiry received more than 31,000 submissions from members of the public, heard from more than 50 witnesses during public hearings, interviewed nearly 30 key decision-makers and senior officials, and held more than 50 engagements with experts, organisations and communities. We also received extensive written evidence from Government agencies and organisations. Thank you to everyone who took the time to meet us and shared evidence, experiences and expertise. We are grateful for your contributions.

We are also indebted to the staff of the Inquiry and to our senior leadership team. We are grateful for your hard work and leadership that supported us throughout our task. We are grateful, too, for the unstinting service provided by counsel appointed to assist the Inquiry in Phase Two and to every member of the Secretariat and the supporting team at the Department of Internal Affairs. We also want to acknowledge the work of Professor Tony Blakely, John Whitehead CNZM and Hon. Hekia Parata during Phase One: we have the utmost respect and gratitude for your integrity, industry and professionalism.

Finally, we would like to acknowledge the work of all who helped Aotearoa New Zealand get through COVID-19. Whether you kept vital services like healthcare or food provision going, supported your neighbours and community, or were involved in making the tough decisions required to lead a country through a pandemic – thank you.

¹ As at 18 January 2024. Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, 'COVID-19 reporting', https://www.tewhatuora.govt.nz/for-health-professionals/data-and-statistics/covid-19/reporting