Hipkins must answer as Royal Commission reveals ministers ignored advice during COVID response

The Taxpayers’ Union says today’s release of the COVID-19 Royal Commission report confirms that ministers made some of the most significant decisions in modern New Zealand history while ignoring official advice.

Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf says the report raises serious questions about accountability.

“New Zealanders were repeatedly told the Government was ‘following the science’. The Royal Commission report shows that wasn’t always the case.”

“We now know that ministers kept Auckland in lockdown longer than officials advised and maintained vaccine mandates for teenagers despite safety warning against two-dose requirements.”

“These were extraordinary decisions that cost taxpayers $66 billion and imposed some of the harshest restrictions anywhere in the developed world.”

“When politicians override the advice they’re given, they must explain why. So far, that accountability has been missing. Former COVID Response Minister Chris Hipkins declined to appear publicly before the Royal Commission. New Zealanders deserve answers about why key advice was ignored.”

“When governments exercise extraordinary powers over people’s lives and spend tens of billions of taxpayer dollars, the public has every right to demand accountability.”