Ani O'Brien: Chris Hipkins is New Zealand's Teflon politician

Chippy the Accountability Houdini

Politics often rewards shamelessness. If a politician can survive the first bad headline, deny everything for long enough, and hang in there for the news cycle to move on, there is every chance the public will simply forget. Memories fade and journalists chase the next outrage. Before long the politician who should have been answering uncomfortable questions is back on television talking confidently about everyone else’s failures. Shamelessly.

Chris Hipkins appears to be betting his political future on exactly that phenomenon.

Simon O'Connor: A lost opportunity

The Royal Commission report into Covid was an opportunity for people's voices to be heard. Sadly, it has failed, preferencing power over humanity.

When people are hurt or feel an injustice has been done to them, one of the ways to assist the healing process is to ensure they have been heard and listened to. Importantly, they need to see and hear that they’ve been heard.

I recall one person coming into my electorate office early on in my parliamentary career with a rather complex and fraught situation, and as they spoke my mind was racing as to what I could do to solve the issue. As they finished and were about to leave, I frankly admitted that I did not know what could be done but that I would consider further. Their reply has always stayed with me – “Oh, I know there is nothing you can do, but I wanted to talk and be heard. And I was, thank you.”

Peter Williams: Royal Commission always destined to come up short

Confidence we'd get a hard hitting report was low

There were numerous warning signs Phase 2 of the Royal Commission into the Covid Response would produce a disappointing outcome.

The initial terms of reference specifically excluded an adversarial approach where evidence and submissions could and would be challenged.

Ani O'Brien: We don't hate the media enough

We need a People's Commission into the Media during Covid-19

The Royal Commission into COVID-19 should have triggered a national reckoning. Instead it revealed how completely the media failed to scrutinise power.

There’s a phrase often repeated online: you don’t hate the media enough. Most people read it as a joke or a bit of internet cynicism. But the New Zealand media’s response to the release of the report from Phase Two of the Royal Commission into COVID-19 is proof that the New Zealand media has forgotten its most basic functions.

David Farrar: The conflicted Covid Chair

Kata MacNamara reports:

Details of Tony Blakely’s involvement in the New Zealand Government’s response to the pandemic raise serious questions about the work of the Covid-19 Royal Commission of Inquiry over which he presides.