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COVID-19 Group

What we do

The COVID-19 Group is responsible for providing integrated strategy and policy advice on the response to COVID-19 from an all of government point of view.

History and role

Over the past two and a half years, the COVID-19 Group in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has played an important role in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic in ensuring a coordinated all of government response to COVID-19.

On 1 July 2020 the COVID-19 Group was established as a business unit of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC), continuing the work of the National Crisis Management Centre following the centre's deactivation on 30 June 2020.

With the response now in a different phase, some of functions have transferred to Te Whatu Ora (Health New Zealand) and Manatū Hauora (the Ministry of Health) who are responsible for the ongoing coordination of the COVID-19 response. 

The functions of System Response, Readiness and Planning along with Insights and Reporting (including modelling, and geospatial analysis) transitioned to the Public Health Agency of Manatū Hauora on 31 October 2022.

On 16 November 2022, the COVID-19 Communications and Public Engagement work transitioned to Manatū Hauora – Ministry of Health and Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand, including responsibility for the Unite Against COVID-19 website and social media channels, which are now run by Te Whatu Ora.

The COVID-19 Group’s Policy and Strategy coordination function will remain at DPMC until its transition to Manatū Hauora, no later than 30 June 2023.  

The Policy and Strategy team continues to provide leadership and coordination of the overarching strategy for the COVID-19 response, and coordination and integration of advice on readiness and response activities across agencies. This team is responsible for coordinating the process to manage any changes to the response system (e.g. COVID-19 settings). This team also supports an independent Ministerial Advisory Group to facilitate broader views and assurance for Ministers on New Zealand’s COVID-19 response.

Further information

 

Last updated: 
Monday, 21 November 2022

Latest publications

Behaviour and Sentiment July 2022 Update

Information release
15 Mar 2023

Proactive Release: October 2022 Review of Remaining COVID-19 Measures Under the New Approach

Information release
7 Mar 2023

Proactive Release: COVID-19 Measures for Summer

Information release
3 Mar 2023

Proactive Release: COVID-19: Strategy for Post Winter

Information release
3 Mar 2023

Proactive release and updated information on the actions taken in response to the Waitangi Tribunal’s Haumaru COVID-19 Priority Report

Information release
2 Feb 2023

COVID-19: Response 2021

Information release
26 Jan 2023
View all publications

Contact us

General enquiries

Contact us by using our online enquiry form

Office of the Chief Executive
Level 8 Executive Wing
Parliament Buildings
Wellington

Email
information@dpmc.govt.nz

Phone
(04) 830 5000

Media enquiries

If your query is intended for the Prime Minister’s media staff then you should use pmomedia@parliament.govt.nz and your query will go directly to them.

For all other media queries, please email media@dpmc.govt.nz.

See also our Social Media Transparency Statement

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