Covid inquiry: Report slams cost of long lockdowns, urges future changes

The final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Covid-19 has been released.

Deciding that the first phase of the inquiry was inadequate, the coalition government expanded the terms of reference to focus on lockdowns and vaccine mandates.

In particular, finding out whether the former government had "considered the impact these decisions would have on society, health, education, and our economy".

The report makes 24 formal recommendations, including: framing the elimination strategy as temporary, limiting the use of urgency in lawmaking, keeping an eye on the research around social cohesion, and creating financial assistance scheme options ahead of the next crisis.

But, wasn't there already an inquiry? Why did Act and New Zealand First both insist on another? And will this government make any moves on these recommendations?

Today on The Front Page, Health Minister Simeon Brown is with us to discuss the final report's findings, and whether we've actually learned anything from it.

Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.

Host: Chelsea Daniels
Editor/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Jane Yee

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.