18 Oct 2022

Government considering extending Covid-19 Act

From Morning Report, 8:20 am on 18 October 2022

The Government is considering extending the Covid-19 Act, which gives politicians the power to impose restrictions to counter the Covid-19 virus.

However, a spokesman for Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the act would be amended to reduce the powers within it, since many were no longer required.

To renew the notice, the PM must state she is satisfied Covid-19 is "likely to continue to disrupt essential governmental and business activity in New Zealand significantly".

University of Otago professor of public law Andrew Geddis spoke to Morning Report.