Summarised by Centrist
A majority of New Zealanders disagree with Jacinda Ardern, Chris Hipkins, Grant Robertson, and Ayesha Verrall refusing to testify publicly at the Covid-19 Royal Commission, according to a new Curia poll commissioned by the Taxpayers’ Union.
Fifty-three percent of respondents said the former Labour ministers should have fronted a public session. Just 28 percent supported their refusal, while 19 percent were unsure. The poll was conducted online with 500 people, with a margin of error of 4.4 percent.
Support for public testimony spanned the political spectrum. Majorities of National, ACT, NZ First, and even Te Pāti Māori voters disagreed with the decision.
Among Labour supporters, 43 percent agreed with Ardern and Hipkins. However, 36 percent disagreed.
Despite the public mood, the Royal Commission decided not to compel the four to appear. A hearing with other officials was cancelled, as the Commission concluded it would do more harm than good to proceed without the central decision-makers. Still, the Commission admitted that a public appearance by the former ministers would have “significantly enhanced public confidence.”
The reasons cited for declining included fears of setting a precedent, already having given private interviews, and the risk of public hearings being “manipulated.” But the Commission dismissed most of those arguments, calling them insufficient to justify non-appearance.
The inquiry’s final report is due in February 2026.
