COVID-19 Nation Dates
COVID-19 Nation Dates: A New Zealand timeline of significant events during the COVID-19 pandemic is now in its third edition.
This book records the impact of COVID-19 in Aotearoa New Zealand between 15 January 2020 and 12 July 2024. It was an intense time for our country, with many significant policy decisions made under pressure. By understanding the events that occurred and the decisions that were made, we can look at the impact of COVID-19 across society and work to better prepare for the next pandemic.
The Institute is very grateful to those who have provided feedback on the two earlier editions. The second edition was published in September 2024. The third edition has been published on 15 May 2026 as a final draft. Feedback is most welcome.
Hindsight and foresight
In future studies, three perspectives shape the dialogue: hindsight, insight, and foresight. The Nation Dates series seeks to strengthen our collective hindsight, identifying historical patterns and lessons that support the development of foresight and the navigation of future challenges. The cone of plausibility (see below) is a strategic foresight framework that illustrates how the future expands into a widening range of potential outcomes, as well as a corresponding hindsight cone. The framework depicts the relationship between multiple perceived pasts and multiple potential futures, and can help leaders learn from the past and better navigate probable, plausible, possible, and preferable futures. The more we know about our past, the more we can improve foresight over the future.
The cone of plausibility
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What was the inspiration for COVID-19
Nation Dates?
COVID-19 Nation Dates aims to record an important time in our recent history. There will be future pandemics and the Institute felt it was useful to provide either those preparing for a possible pandemic or those dealing with an actual pandemic with a comprehensive public policy record, illustrating how the COVID-19 pandemic was dealt with in New Zealand.
2. How were dates for the timeline selected?
Selecting the dates for inclusion was not always an easy task. Sometimes a significant date was determined by the establishment of a committee, a royal commission or a publication, and sometimes just a moment of interest. There are also events that have a ripple effect, and at times we have noted both prior and subsequent related dates within a single entry in order to be concise.
3. How are events in the timelines grouped?
4. Who will this book appeal to?
The book will appeal to anyone with an interest in New Zealand’s history and anyone looking to the future. The book is data heavy, but is designed to be easy to digest and dip in and out of, highlighting linkages and patterns.
5. What have people said about the book?
‘For many people, time felt warped in the two years that followed March 2020. It would be all too easy to dismiss that period as an aberration and forget the key lessons. However, it is vital that key events during this tumultuous period are recorded for posterity. Only by learning from the past, will we be better equipped for the inevitable volatility ahead.’
— Roger Dennis, consultant in foresight, innovation and large-scale change
‘Pandemics have been part of history since the 1900s; many Māori lives were lost due to wave upon wave of pandemics. The speed and global spread of COVID-19 was unprecedented and our ability to respond variable, and regrettably the outcome for Māori was no different. We must learn and prepare for the future now, where lives and decisions are not determined by politics, power and resources that privilege some and not others. Not until we have researched and analysed critically our response, will we know how to prepare our health workforce and communities for the future to protect themselves and our mokopuna.’
— Kerri Nuku, Kaiwhakahaere, New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO)
‘Looking back, it is hard to believe now how almost every day threw up new challenges to our COVID-19 response. This thorough and comprehensive timeline documents those challenges and will be a hugely valuable reminder of those difficult times for years to come.’
— Shaun Hendy, COVID-19 modeller, University of Auckland
‘With the COVID-19 pandemic now in its fourth year, I’ve started to see more and more misleading statements about Aotearoa New Zealand’s early pandemic response. There’s a revisioning of our history going on, particularly by those at home and abroad who believe we shouldn’t have pursued an elimination strategy to deal with what was a new and very dangerous virus. While our response was far from perfect, that strategy saved lives and livelihoods. As time passes, and our own memories fade and become more unreliable, this book stands as an important record of what happened and when.’
— Siouxsie Wiles, MNZM, microbiologist and science communicator
6. What sources are used in Nation Dates?
As a general rule the Institute aims to apply ‘the three references rule’ in order to have confidence that we have reflected an event correctly. Although this was relatively easy to apply in our signature book Nation Dates, this was not possible with COVID-19 Nation Dates. Given the fast pace of change over the length of the pandemic, events were often recorded in the press, rather than in more authoritative sources (such as the Parliamentary website or the Ministry of Health). Importantly, the team has incorporated over 1,600 references for the third edition, which are available in the tables on the website.
7. Will there be more editions?
No. The third edition will be the last. Accordingly, we are publishing the book as a final draft PDF and inviting feedback. This approach enables interested parties to review the content and provide input, while also being necessary given that a small number of OIA requests remain outstanding.
8. How can I give feedback about COVID-19
Nation Dates?
We welcome your feedback; please email your thoughts or observations to [email protected]. With past editions of COVID-19 Nation Dates the feedback has been critically important. Thank you to all those who have contributed to making every edition of the book better, stronger and more dynamic.