So, the “Head Honcho’s” of Labour’s COVID-19 pandemic response have refused to front up to the Covid Inquiry’s public hearings.

Those self-appointed arbiters of how New Zealand citizens could live their lives during the period of March 2020 to around May 2022 are on the receiving end of large, most say well deserved, servings of opprobrium, ignominy, infamy for refusing to appear at the public hearings, protesting, they have already appeared before the inquiry in private.

Social media has lit up like a roman candle firecracker, political pundits of all hues are putting the pennies worth into print, nooses are being knotted!

But seriously, think about it; Why would they allow themselves to be (further) denigrated and humiliated in public? They are damned if they do and damned if they don’t!

Why would, “She Who Saved Us From Covid” leave the sanctuary of Oprah’s arms and return to a country, that she now views as a mere pimple on the bum of the world, where its current leader is striding manfully on the world stage making utterances about Benjamin’s sanity, where the rabble she once led are baying to see her put in a set of stocks in Molesworth Street. She is not That stupid!

What is intriguing me is something Chippie has said when commenting on his no show.

And remember, there was no collusion about appearing between him and “She Who Saved Us From Covid”!

I’m wondering if there is another issue behind this second Covid enquiry, an issue that is secreted just under the main event.

We all know the Covid Inquiry MK1, when tabled in Parliament, was met with various responses such as “A whitewash,” “Where’s the blame,” “Jacinda’s got off scot free,” “What short sharp lockdown?” etc etc.

One of the most vociferous faultfinders was NZ First leader Winston Peters who was not afraid of launching into verbal criticisms about the commissioners, academics and the media. Stating “It had a far too “narrow scope” and should investigate the safety of the Covid-19 vaccines.” “…look at the unusual death rates, post-Covid” 

So, that saw the  National-led coalition announcing a “phase two” of the Royal Commission of Inquiry.

In February 2024 NZ First announced – “We are happy to announce that we are expanding the terms of reference on the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Covid-19 response – and we want your say. This includes what we committed to in our coalition agreement, to: 

Ensure, as a matter of urgency in establishment and completion, a full scale, wide ranging, independent inquiry conducted publicly with local and international experts, into how the Covid pandemic was handled in New Zealand, including covering: 

  • Use of multiple lockdowns, 
  • Vaccine procurement and efficacy, 
  • The social and economic impacts on both regional and national levels, and 
  • Whether the decisions made, and steps taken, were justified. 

“This inquiry was campaigned on by New Zealand First leading up to the 2023 election and has been highly anticipated by many New Zealanders.” 

Looks to me very much like Covid Inquiry MK11 is actually a NZ First driven inquiry!

Well, of course, look at all the potential “I told you so” opportunities this would open up for Winston!

So, what was it that piqued my suspicions?

Chippie, last month, when appearing on Herald NOW claimed he had issues with the way Covid Inquiry MK11 had been structured. Especially (and this is the meat in the pie) with the decision to exclude from consideration in the inquiry,  the years that NZ First was governing with Labour!!!

Chippie bemoaned, “The fact that the [Royal Commission] terms of reference specifically exclude decisions made when NZ First were part of the [Labour-led coalition] Government … I think the terms of reference have been deliberately constructed to achieve a particular outcome, particularly around providing a platform for those who have conspiracy theorist views.

“That seems to have been specifically written into the terms of reference that they get maximum airtime.”

 So, what do you think?

  1. My thoughts are the ramblings of a conspiracy theorist or
  2. Max deflection from Chippie whose backside is hanging out for all the world to see or
  3. Winston, the Arch Manipulator?