Former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern led the country through the first response to Covid-19, but the Royal Commission will not confirm if she will appear at the inquiry. Photo: 2021 Getty Images
The Royal Commission investigating New Zealand's Covid-19 pandemic response has not made any decisions about which leaders and politicians will appear for a public healing.
The inquiry is looking into the government's response to the pandemic and its effects.
This week's hearings have concentrated on the impact of the extended lockdown in Auckland and Northland in 2021 and on vaccine mandates and safety.
RNZ previously reported that the commission had requested former prime minister Dame Jacinda Ardern to give evidence at a public hearing in August.
But the commission said no decisions had been made about who would appear at the hearing.
"The witness list is still under consideration, and it is not appropriate to make further comment about it at this stage," they said in a written statement.
"The Inquiry will share the witness list and more information about the planned August public hearing in due course."
They also noted that people giving evidence would not necessarily be required to do so in a public hearing.
"Public hearings are just one way the Inquiry can gather evidence, in addition to private interviews, written correspondence, stakeholder engagements, public submissions and document analysis."
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