The Covid Response: A Scientist’s Account of New Zealand’s Pandemic and What Comes Next

New Zealand’s pandemic response delivered one of the lowest Covid-19 health burdens in the world, thanks to early elimination and high vaccination rates. While border controls and early lockdowns were strict, domestic freedoms ultimately exceeded those in other advanced economies, making the country a global case study. Yet, these successes came at a cost – financial strain, social isolation and unequal access to support. How did we get here, and how did science shape decisions in real time?

In The Covid Response, physicist Professor Shaun Hendy offers an insider’s perspective on New Zealand’s unique approach to the pandemic. He takes readers behind the scenes of the country’s science-driven response, sharing firsthand experiences as a key member of the advisory team at Te Punaha Matatini. Through this engaging narrative, Hendy unpacks the science behind critical decisions – ranging from lockdowns to the strategic use of genomic sequencing and data modelling.

This book examines high-stakes decisions made in real time, their impact on New Zealand, and the lessons they offer for the future.