3 Regional engagements | Covid-19 Lessons Learned

Pandemic Perspectives

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Appendix 3: Regional engagements

Tāpiritanga 3: Ngā whakaritenga-a-rohe

The Inquiry undertook 42 engagements from April 2025 – June 2025 which consisted of 21 sectoral engagements both online and in-person and 21 regional in-person engagements across four locations: Auckland (10), Northland (5), Christchurch (3) and Waikato (3).

The total number of groups engaged with was 108, these were comprised of: associations, organisations, affiliations, unions, federations, foundations, councils, charities, religious groups, academics, businesses, public interest groups, health providers, young people, disabled people, Māori, Pacific and ethnic communities, advocacy groups, peak bodies, collectives, societies, trusts, and services who acted as representatives of these groups' members.

The list of engagements covered in this report is outlined in this Appendix

April 2025 | Paengawhāwhā 2025

Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch City Missions as non-profit organisations that provide practical support to those in need.

Mis-and disinformation experts roundtable:

Te Mana Whakaatu | Classification Office – an independent Crown entity that aims to inform and empower New Zealanders to experience, understand, create and share content in a positive way, while also being safeguarded from harm.
David Shanks – the former Chief Censor of Te Mana Whakaatu | Classification Office.
Fight Against Conspiracy Theories (FACT) Aotearoa – a grassroots group of activists fighting harmful conspiracy theories and disinformation in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Advocacy and support organisations representing older people:

He Manaakitanga Kaumātua Aotearoa | Age Concern New Zealand as an organisation that offers a range of information and support to older adults in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Carers New Zealand as the national peak body providing information, advice, learning and support for carers in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Grey Power New Zealand Federation Inc. as an advocacy organisation protecting the welfare and wellbeing of older people.
Ngā Pou Whakawhirinaki o Aotearoa | Citizens Advice Bureau as a nationwide, but locally-based, community organisation that helps people to know and understand their rights and obligations.

COVID-19 Immunisation Programme Governance Group Assurance Leads as officials who provided real-time assurance to support the planning and delivery of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Academic researchers who studied Aotearoa New Zealand's digital contact tracing technology use during the pandemic:

Associate Professor Tim Chambers from Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | the University of Canterbury.
Dr. Andrew Chen from Waipapa Taumata Rau | the University of Auckland.
Dr. Rogena Sterling from Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato | the University of Waikato.

May 2025 | Hakiharatua 2025

Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi – Public Service Association as a trade union that represents and supports more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards, and community groups within Aotearoa New Zealand.

Chief Executives from port companies across Aotearoa New Zealand as the leaders of companies that provide essential infrastructure in Aotearoa New Zealand's supply chain.

General Practitioner Leaders' Forum as representatives from key peak bodies in the general medical practice. The Inquiry met with:

General Practice Owners Association as a not-for-profit membership association representing the owners and providers of Aotearoa New Zealand's general practices and urgent care centres.
Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network as a collective organisation who advocate for the health and wellbeing of rural New Zealanders.
Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa | New Zealand Nurses Organisation as the representative body for more than 55,000 nurses and health workers.
Te Whare Tohu Rata o Aotearoa | Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners as Aotearoa New Zealand's largest medical college with a membership of 6,000 general practitioners, rural hospital doctors, and registrars.
General Practitioners Aotearoa as a membership organisation that represents and advocates for general practitioners and doctors working within general practice.

Ohu Kaupare Huaketo | Vaccine Alliance Aotearoa New Zealand as a collective of academics who were tasked with rapidly progressing Aotearoa New Zealand's capability and capacity to develop and manufacture a COVID-19 vaccine.

Te Kauae Kaimahi | New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Affiliate Unions as the united voice for working people and their families, bringing together 27 affiliated unions.

Hospitality New Zealand as a voluntary trade association representing 2,500 hospitality and commercial accommodation businesses.

Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa | New Zealand Nurses Organisation as the union and professional body for nursing in New Zealand.

Organisations and associations representing teachers and principals:

Ngā Tumuaki o Aotearoa | New Zealand Principals' Federation as a representative body supporting more than 2,000 principals from state, integrated, primary, intermediate, middle and secondary schools.
Te Wehengarua | Post Primary Teachers' Association as a professional association and union of teachers and principals committed to improving secondary education for Aotearoa New Zealand students.
Ngā Tamariki Puāwai o Tāmaki | Auckland Kindergarten Association as a charitable organisation that provides quality Early childhood education for kindergartens and Early Learning Centres.
Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu (Te Kura) as New Zealand's state distance education provider that offers a wide range of programmes from early childhood through to NCEA Level 3.

Voices for Freedom as a not-for-profit grassroots advocacy organisation that has been vocal about Aotearoa New Zealand's COVID-19 response.

As part of an ambulance forum:

Hato Hone St John Ambulance as a charitable organisation that is at the frontline of medical response providing ambulance and other health-related services throughout New Zealand.
Wellington Free Ambulance as a provider of free ambulance and healthcare services for the Greater Wellington and Wairarapa regions.

June 2025 | Pipiri 2025

As part of a midwives' peak bodies forum:

Te Kāreti o ngā Kaiwhakawhānau ki Aotearoa | New Zealand College of Midwives as the professional organisation and recognised 'voice' for midwives and student midwives in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Te Tatau o te Whare Kahu | Midwifery Council as the responsible authority that protects the health and safety of women and pēpi experiencing midwifery care in New Zealand.

As part of an education-focused forum:

Mana Tohu Mātauranga o Aotearoa | New Zealand Qualifications Authority as a Crown entity that administers educational assessments and qualifications.
Te Tari Arotake Mātauranga | Education Review Office as the Government's external evaluation agency that informs and facilitates the improvement in early learning services, kōhanga reo, puna kōhungahunga, kura and schools.
Network for Learning as a Crown-owned technology company that connects schools and kura across New Zealand to safe and reliable internet.
Manapou ki te Ao | Education New Zealand as a government agency that promotes New Zealand as a study destination and supports the delivery of education services offshore.
Te Amorangi Mātauranga Matua | Tertiary Education Commission as a Crown agency leading the Government's relationship with the tertiary education sector in New Zealand.

Aku Huia Kaimanawa Midwives Collective as a group of midwives who offer support and an active voice for all members.

Ngā Maia Trust, Māori Midwives ō Aotearoa as a charitable trust committed to Māori birthing practices that promote the health and wellbeing of whānau.

Te Aka Hāpai | New Zealand Police Association as the representative voice for 99% of constabulary police officers across all ranks and 75% of New Zealand Police employees.

New Zealand Doctors Speaking out with Science as a collective of medical professionals who have been vocal about New Zealand's health response to COVID-19.

Te Kaunihera Māori o Aotearoa | New Zealand Māori Council as advocates for policy development and community initiatives that contribute to te mana motuhake o te Iwi Māori.

Regional Engagements – June 2025

Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland

Senior leaders from Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau | Auckland Council as the governing body for the Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland region. As part of this engagement, we also met with the Chairs/Co-Chairs of the Council's Community Advisory Panels who provide advice on the interests and preferences of the communities they serve. This included representatives from the Ethnic Communities Advisory Panel, Youth Advisory Panel, Pacific Peoples Advisory Panel, Seniors Advisory Panel, and the Disability Advisory Panel.

Te Whānau o Waipareira as a health and social support, and education services provider to communities residing in West Auckland.

As part of a general health forum:

Whakarongorau Aotearoa | New Zealand Telehealth Services as a digital health provider for New Zealand.
Summerset Retirement Villages as New Zealand's second-largest retirement village operator that offers rest-home care, hospital-level care, and respite care.
Manly Medical Centre as a family-focused general practice operating in Whangaparāoa, Auckland.

As part of a Pasifika health providers forum:

The Fono as a leader in delivering health outcomes for the people who need it most, and fostering well, safe, vibrant, and informed communities.
Pasifika Futures as a whānau ora commissioning agency that works with regionally based providers and partners to build the capability and capacity of Pacific families.
Treasured Older Adults (TOA) Pacific as a not-for-profit organisation that promotes the rights, safety, and wellbeing of older people, Aiga carers and Pacific families.

As part of a disabled peoples group forum:

Kāpō Māori Aotearoa as the national support service for Māori who are blind, deafblind, have low vision, or are vision impaired.
Autism New Zealand as a support service, education and information provider for autistic people, their families/whānau, caregivers, and professionals who engage with them.
Te Roopu Waiora as a Māori organisation that is founded and governed by whānau hauā (disabled peoples).
Disability Connect as a disability information advisory service operating throughout Auckland.
Deaf Aotearoa Tāngata Turi as a national organisation representing the voice of deaf people.
Auckland Deaf Society Inc as a community-based centre where members meet to participate in educational, sporting and recreational activities.

As part of a Pasifika health providers forum:

The Fono as a leader in delivering health outcomes for the people who need it most, and fostering well, safe, vibrant, and informed communities.
Pasifika Futures as a whānau ora commissioning agency that works with regionally based providers and partners to build the capability and capacity of Pacific families.
Treasured Older Adults (TOA) Pacific as a not-for-profit organisation that promotes the rights, safety, and wellbeing of older people, Aiga carers and Pacific families.

As part of a disabled peoples group forum:

Kāpō Māori Aotearoa as the national support service for Māori who are blind, deafblind, have low vision, or are vision impaired.
Autism New Zealand as a support service, education and information provider for autistic people, their families/whānau, caregivers, and professionals who engage with them.
Te Roopu Waiora as a Māori organisation that is founded and governed by whānau hauā (disabled peoples).
Disability Connect as a disability information advisory service operating throughout Auckland.
Deaf Aotearoa Tāngata Turi as a national organisation representing the voice of deaf people.
Auckland Deaf Society Inc as a community-based centre where members meet to participate in educational, sporting and recreational activities.

As part of an ethnic communities and faith-based leaders forum:

New Zealand Sikh Women's Association as group that provides support to women and children within the Southeast Asian community.
CNSST Foundation as an organisation that offers comprehensive services and support to the Asian community in New Zealand.
New Zealand Filipino Santo Nino Devotee Trust (Sinulog) as the biggest gathering of Filipinos in New Zealand who connect with the Ministry for Social Development to offer services for the Filipino community.
Kāhui Tū Kaha as a not-for-profit organisation providing health, housing and social services.
Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at New Zealand Incorporated as a registered charity organisation that provides support and a voice for the Ahmadiyya Muslim community within Aotearoa New Zealand.

As part of a Pasifika community leaders forum – representatives from:

SIAOLA – Vahefonua Tonga Methodist Mission Charitable Trust as a registered charity organisation that provides education, health and social services for Tongan and Pasifika communities throughout New Zealand.
Falelalaga Village Limited as a Samoan community culture and education centre based in South Auckland.
Seed2Harvest Trust Limited as a church and community centre based in West Auckland that supports and empowers its members to develop and grow.
Congregational Christian Church of Samoa as a prominent faith-based community in Māngere East.
Holy Trinity Anglican Church as a prominent faith-based community in Ōtāhuhu.
Rowandale School as a multi-cultural school in the heart of Manurewa.
Kirivalu Aotearoa Society Incorporated as a community group representing individuals of Tuvalu and Kiribati descent.
Vaka Tautua as a Pacific community health, disability and social services provider that services families across Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington, Ōtautahi Christchurch, and Ōtākou Otago.
Heaven's Gate New Zealand as a charitable trust servicing the local community in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.

As part of a Māori health providers forum:

Te Taumata Hauora o Te Kahu o Taonui as the Iwi Māori Partnership Board servicing Te Tai Tokerau Northland.
National Hauora Coalition as a Māori led, whānau informed and outcomes focused organisation that supports community-connected organisations to deliver hauora services effectively for whānau.
Whai Māia – Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust as entities focused on advancing the cultural, social and environmental aspirations of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei.

The Health Forum New Zealand as a grassroots voluntary organisation that offers hope, encouragement, community and resources to individuals impacted by the COVID-19 vaccine. As part of this engagement, we were grateful to also meet with some of the individuals represented by the Forum.

As part of an Auckland Regional Business Boundary Forum:

Heart of the City as the business association for Auckland's city centre.
Travel Agents' Association of New Zealand as a self-regulating trade organisation representing travel agents, travel brokers and tour operators in New Zealand.
Whāriki – Māori Business Network Aotearoa as a not-for-profit social franchise, designed to support and uplift Māori business owners and professionals.
Employers and Manufacturers Association as a key entity with a view on business support measures and other settings that affected businesses during the COVID-19 response.

Te Tai Tokerau Northland

As part of a Council bodies forum:

Whangārei District Council as the territorial authority for the Whangārei District of New Zealand.
Far North District Council as the territorial authority for the Far North District of New Zealand.

As part of an economic development bodies forum:

Northland Incorporated as Te Tai Tokerau Northland's economic development agency working to deliver positive economic benefits to the region.
Northland Chamber of Commerce as the voice of the business sector in Te Tai Tokerau Northland, empowering and enabling them to thrive.

Youth representatives from Whangārei to better understand the impacts of the pandemic response on their cohort.

As part of a Māori health providers forum:

Te Hā Oranga as an iwi endorsed and owned health service provider that operates under the tikanga of Ngāti Whātua.
Te Rūnanga o Te Rarawa as a significant health and social services provider for Te Rarawa.
Te Roroa Development Group as a conservation, farming and forestry, tourism, hauora and housing support service provider.
Ki A Ora Ngatiwai as a primary health, whānau ora and public health service provider based in Whangārei.
Te Hau Ora Ō Ngāpuhi as the organisation charged with leading the health strategy for Ngāpuhi – serving whānau, hapū, and hāpori living within Te Whare Tapu o Ngāpuhi, whether Māori or non-Māori.

As part of an education forum:

Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi as a tertiary education provider based in Whakatāne.
Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu (Te Kura) as New Zealand's state distance education provider that offers a wide range of programmes from early childhood through to NCEA Level 3.
Kaitaia College as a co-educational secondary school located in the Far North region of New Zealand.

Ōtautahi Christchurch

As part of a Council bodies forum:

Christchurch City Council as the governing body of the Christchurch region.
Waimakariri District Council as the governing body of the Waimakariri region.
Selwyn District Council as the governing body of the Selwyn region.

As part of a business forum:

Christchurch NZ as the city's sustainable economic development and city profile agency.
Pōhatu Penguins as a family-owned and operated eco-tourism business in Pōhatu Bay.
Willowbank Wildlife Reserve as a family-owned and operated wildlife and conservation park.

As part of a disabled peoples group forum:

Ngā Tāngata Tuatahi | People First NZ as a disabled people's organisation run by and for people with a learning disability.
Muscular Dystrophy Association of New Zealand as a registered charity that supports families with neuromuscular conditions, particularly (but not limited to) muscular dystrophy.
Deaf Aotearoa as a national organisation representing the voice of deaf people and the national service provider for deaf people in New Zealand.
Te Ao Mārama Aotearoa Trust as a charitable trust that is made up of whānau across the tāngata whaikaha Māori hapori who work with whānau, hapū and iwi leadership, crown agencies and the disability sector.
Disability Leadership Canterbury as a network of disabled people that develop and support solutions that are universally accessible, diverse and inclusive.
Blind Citizens NZ as a national organisation run by and for blind citizens across New Zealand.

Kirikiriroa Hamilton

As part of a Council bodies forum:

Te Kaunihera ā Rohe o Waikato | Waikato Regional Council** as the governing body responsible for managing the Waikato region's natural resources, economy, and quality of life.

As part of an economic development bodies forum:

Waikato Chamber of Commerce as an advocate on issues that affect and relate to local businesses.
Morrinsville Chamber of Commerce as the voice of the business sector in Morrinsville.

New Zealand National Fieldays Society as a not-for-profit organisation committed to supporting the advancement of agriculture in New Zealand.