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COVID-19 Chief Executives Board Minutes
Date
26 July 2022
Time
0845 to 1000
Venue
MS Teams
Attendance
CCB members
1982
Tony Lynch (Chair)
DPMC
Bill Perry
NZC
Andrew Kibblewhite
MoJ
Christine Stevenson
NZCAct
Debbie Power
MSD
Stuart Horne
MFAT
Mac Leauanae
MPP
Tania Ott
PSC
Caralee McLeish
TSY
Una Jagose
CLO
Carolyn Tremain
MBIE
Dr Diana Sarfati
MoH
Apologies
Brook Barrington
DPMC
Peter Hughes
PSC
Information
Ashley Bloomfield
Tania Ott
PSC
In attendance
Ruth Fairhall
DPMC
Alice Hume
DPMC
Rachel Sutherland
DPMC
Julie Knauf
DPMC
Official
Aaron Wright
DPMC
Ben McBride
DPMC
Amber Bill
DPMC
Carol Douglass
DPMC
the
Hamish Rogers
DPMC
Chloe Thompson
DPMC
Jess Gray
DPMC
Jack Manning
DPMC
Rob Huddart
DPMC
under
Agenda and apologies
1. Tony Lynch, Acting Chair of the COVID-19 Chief Executives’ Board (CCB), welcomed
participants to the discussion and noted apologies for Ashley Bloomfield, Peter Hughes
and Tania Ott. The Chair acknowledged the Director-Generals leadership in his absence,
noting that his tenure as Director-General is soon about to close.
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Roundtable: Update on the COVID-19 Response
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2. Dr Diana Sarfati introduced Andrew Old, the new Deputy Director-General of the Public
Health  Agency,  who  updated  the  members  on  the  ongoing  health  response.  Dr  Sarfati
briefed that he Omicron subvariant BA 5 is still likely to become the dominant variant, with
over  90%  of  cases  expected  to  be  BA  5  by  August.  The  health  system  remains  under
considerable  pressure,  and  the  Chair noted  the  announcements  made  by  the  Minister
recently of increased antiviral access, and free masks and rapid antigen tests under certain
conditions.
3. The Chair noted that the close work being undertaken by Health with Te Whatu Ora on the  1982
system  readiness  exercise,  schedule  for  the  9th of  August.  This  will  provide  a  helpful
opportunity  to  establish  roles  and  responsibilities  beyond  the  DPMC-led  All-Of-
Government approach.
Act
4. Debbie Power began her update with Care in the Community, noting the increased number
of referrals, trending in lockstep with the increase in cases. Debbie talked to the impact of
cost-of-living  pressures  on  health  welfare  needs.  The  Social  Wellbeing  Board  is
conducting analysis into the “lag effect” of COVID-19 cases, which will be brought to the
CCB at the next meeting.
5. Christine Stevenson updated the group on border settings. New Zealand is at Step 5 of its
Reconnecting New Zealanders Plan, with Immigration NZ managing their capacity well.
The Maritime Border reopens on the 31st of July. Poor weather means that small seacrafts
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are not expected to return to considerable numbers until October. Cruise ships will start in
meaningful numbers in the second week of October, although a recent outbreak on the
Pacific Explorer on the 18th of July was noted.
6. With a foot and mouth disease outbreak occurring in Indonesia, work is underway to see
whether or not the NZTD can be of use in mitigating the risk of spread. Carolyn Tremain
Official
updated the group on the closure of the last 3 MIQ facilities this week. The group discussed
the ability of automated systems to hold up under sustained stress, such as the NZTD,
now that MIQ facilities have closed. Global pressures on labour and skills in the medical
the
sector mean that New Zealand is competing for scarce resources.
7. Ruth  Fairhall  updated  the  group  on  the  All  of  Government  response  to  COVID-19.
Advertisements and other communications will be front-loaded for this winter. The group
discussed the communications to employees regarding working from home and staying
under
home when sick. A Cabinet Paper will be submitted at the end of August, providing a follow
up  from  the  post  winter  strategy.  Work  is  underway  on  the  new  pandemic  legislative
framework to replace the COVID-19 Public Health Response Act when it expires in May
2023.
Draft  paper  for  Minister  for  COVID-19  Response:  Assurance  on  system  readiness  to
respond to a new variant of concern
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8. The Chair noted the importance of providing Cabinet with assurance that the transition to
the future legislative framework will be smooth and orderly. Rachel Sutherland briefed the
group on her draft paper:
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8.1.
The Catalogue of Measures for the National Management Plan, which outlines
the operational details for the measures available to manage COVID-19, will
be updated to reflect the baseline and response measures in line with the post-
winter strategy. The Board heard that if Chief Executives would like their report-
backs reflected in this paper, to please get in touch with Rachel Sutherland.
8.2.
The Chair will circulate a letter to Chief Executives, outlining the measures they
are responsible for, and seeking confirmation of agency readiness.
8.3.
The  Board  held  a  discussion  on  the  item,  including  the  communication  plan
with iwi through the transition away from the COVID-19 Protection Framework,  1982
noting that DPMC is trying to schedule a meeting with the PRG this week or
next  week  to  discuss  the  upcoming  CPF  colour  review  and  to  discuss  the
August Cabinet paper.
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8.4.
The Board noted the readiness assurance paper to Minister Verrall should
define the approach to economic supports, should a variant of concern
emerge. Action: Rachel will link in with the Treasury team on working to
include in the readiness assurance paper.
8.5.
The Board agreed that a regular 6-month readiness exercise would be
welcome and agreed the proposal can be included in the paper to Minister
Verrall.
9. The Chair thanked Rachel for her update.
Move from the COVID-19 Protection Framework to Baseline and Reserve Measures
Information
10. The Chair invited Aaron Wright to present on this item:
10.1. The Board heard that Aaron is responsible for the readiness exercise in early
August and that he should be contacted should they have any questions or
comments.
10.2. The Board heard about previous transitions to new strategies and frameworks.
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To mitigate the risk of a scenario with a short window between agreement by
Cabinet  and  implementation,  preparation  is  the  primary  priority.  The  Board
heard that Aaron is seeking views on the areas of focus identified in the paper
the
for  the  transition  to  the  new  strategy (Policy  and  Strategy,  Legislation,
Communications  and  Public  Engagement,  Sector  guidance,  Readiness
reporting and exercise).
10.3. The  Board  discussed  the  need  to  bring  winter-wellness  and  mask  wearing
communications in line with post-winter strategy communications. The Board
discussed the flow-on effects of transitioning to a new strategy on employment
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legislation and obligations and to the understanding of sectors and the wider
public of what the rules are.
10.4. Action: The Board will pick this the discussion on the move to Baseline
and Reserve Measures in the next meeting, particularly as clarity is
gained or decisions are taken.
DPMC COVID-19 Group Transition: Update
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11. The Chair invited Carol Douglass to present on this item:
11.1. The Board heard that there is a paper due to Ministers with Powers to Act in
September. This paper will go through the Board during an August meeting.
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12. Action: The Chair requested that an update is provided at each Board meeting on
the DPMC COVID-19 Group Transition.
COVID-19 Transition - Success and Risk Framework
13. The Chair invited Rachel Sutherland to present on this item:
13.1. The Board heard that the transition exercise in August touches on areas in the
success and risk framework.
13.2. The Board discussed some of these risk areas, including the transition of legal  1982
framework and impact on employment legislation and support measures.
14. The  Chair  invited  the  Board  members  to  provide  additional  feedback  to  Rachel,  as
required.
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Report  on  Insights  from  Recommendations  across  COVID-19  Response  System
Reviews
15. The Chair noted the insights from the System Reviews’ recommendations and noted that
the Office of the Auditor General will be tabling their report soon. The Chair noted than an
inquiry into the COVID-19 response is likely, and while the scope and details of this inquiry
are  unknown  at  this  time,  Board  members  were  encouraged to  reflect  on how such  an
inquiry should be approached.
16. The Board discussed the process of conducting reviews, capturing recommendations, and
oversight of the response. The Board heard that many recommendations were superseded
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or were from a point-in-time, and that responsible agencies will need to close off any items
that are still open.
17. The Chair agreed that no further reporting will be done in this area. Noting that with the
transition  plan  of  the  COVID-19  Group,  the  capacity  to  provide  further  reporting  is
diminished  and  that  the  ownership  and  responsibilities  for  recommendations  should  sit
back with responsible agencies. Official
Other Business
the
18. The Chair and Board agreed to the meeting minutes.
19. The  Chair  asked  the  Secretariat  to  distribute  the  Terms  of  Reference and  closed  the
meeting.
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date
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Rachel Sutherland will link in with the Treasury team on
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23 Aug DPMC
July
working to include in the readiness assurance paper.
The Board will pick this the discussion on the move to
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DPMC/Secreta
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Baseline and Reserve Measures in the next meeting,
23 Aug
July
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Release  particularly as clarity is gained or decisions are taken.
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The Chair requested that an update is provided at each
DPMC/Secreta
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23 Aug
July
Board meeting on the DPMC COVID-19 Group Transition
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COVID-19 Chief Executives Board Minutes
Date
23 August 2022
Time
0830 to 0935
Venue
MS Teams
Attendance
CCB members
1982
Tony Lynch (Chair)
DPMC
Brook Barrington
DPMC
Andrew Kibblewhite
MoJ
Christine Stevenson
NZCAct
Debbie Power
MSD
Glenn Webber
Te Arawhiti
Caralee McLeish
TSY
Una Jagose
CLO
Carolyn Tremain
MBIE
Dr Diana Sarfati
MoH
Dr Andrew Old
MoH
Bryan Dunne
PSC
Ruth Fairhall
DPMC
Stuart Horne
MFAT
Apologies
Chris Seed
MFAT
Peter Hughes
PSC
Information
In attendance
Julie Knauf
DPMC
Alice Hume
DPMC
Aaron Wright
DPMC
Carol Douglass
DPMC
Amber Bill
DPMC
Paul Ballantyne
DPMC
Official
Rae Nathan
DPMC
Jack Manning
DPMC
the
Agenda and apologies
1. Tony Lynch, Chair of the COVID-19 Chief Executives’ Board (CCB), welcomed
participants. The Chair congratulated Ruth Fairhall on her appointment to DPMC’s Policy
Advisory Group (PAG) and thanked her for her leadership of the COVID-19 Group since
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Cheryl Barnes finished.
2. The Chair noted that the secretariat had updated the CCB distribution list and asked that
any further changes be advised.
Update: Public health response
3. Dr Andrew Old provided an update on the public health response. Dr Old advised that
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weekly case numbers were continuing to fall and are now sitting below 1 per thousand in
population. Hospitalisations and deaths are trending downwards also. Modelling suggests
that this trajectory could continue through to the end of 2022. The potential risk of a new
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variant  was  noted,  which  would  impact  the  Ministry’s  expectations  for  case  number
trajectory.
4. The BA.5 variant remains dominant, representing 90% of sequenced cases.
5. The  Ministry  conducted  a  Public  Health  Risk  Assessment  (PHRA)  exercise  last  week,
looking at all remaining measures, to inform advice being finalised by the Director General
before being sent to Ministers.
6. Dr Diana Sarfati noted that DPMC have been kept regularly updated on the Public Health
Risk Assessment to help inform the upcoming Cabinet paper on the Post Winter Strategy.
7. Dr Old provided an overview of the recommendations from the PHRA. A discussion was  1982
had  on  the  impact  on  businesses,  self-isolation  requirements,  and  the  New  Zealand
Traveller Declaration.
8. Alice Hume advised that the Cabinet Paper on the Post Winter Strategy was expected to
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be considered on 5 September. It would be important that changes coming out of Cabinet
were clearly communicated. Alice also noted that there would legal work to give effect to
the measures associated with the agreed changes.
9. Christine Stevenson flagged that the legislative basis for the operation of the New Zealand
Traveller Declaration would also be impacted by the changes.
Update: Care in the Community
10. The  Chair  invited  Debbie  Power  to  provide  an  update  on  the  Care  in  the  Community
response to COVID-19.
Information
11. Care in the Community support is tied to isolation settings, and as such, if Cabinet agree
changes to the requirements and settings it will heavily impact who receives support. It will
also take time to implement, and any changes to isolation requirements will require advice
from the Ministry of Social Development to be provided to Ministers.
12. A discussion was had on community connectors service and provision of food supports to
those who meet the eligibility criteria.
Official
13. Regional Public Service Commissioners (RPSCs) were given funding to provide regional
leadership  relating to  COVID-19.  Minister  Hipkins  as  Minister  for  Public  Service  will  be
providing Cabinet with a paper later this year on the long-term settings for the RPSCs and
the
funding arrangements.
Update: System readiness exercise
14. The  Chair  invited  Aaron  Wright  to  provide  an  update  on  the  outcomes  of  a  COVID-19
system readiness exercise that took place on 9 August.
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15. An ancillary outcome of the exercise was that it helped to inform the design of the health
operating model.
16. The exercise had good representation across the public sector. Findings of the exercise
include  that  the  system  is  practiced  in  operationalising  complex  response  measures,
acknowledging that advising Ministers on these response options and operationalising the
decisions would be challenging. The exercise also canvassed the importance of aligned
and integrated communications to the public on the decisions taken by Ministers.
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17. The  Chair invited feedback from the CCB on the draft  briefing for Ministers and on the
exercise itself.
18. A roundtable discussion was had on the processes and approaches to provide integrated,
joined-up advice to Ministers and the importance of being ready to call upon key individuals
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who could lead a response to a variant of concern, should that be needed. Board members
acknowledged  that  there  are  contextual  factors  to  consider  in  advice  to  Ministers  on
response options such as the mis and disinformation landscape.
19. CCB members discussed the role of Chief Executives in ensuring not only their individual
agency’s readiness, but how well integrated the response would be. Importance of system
integration was stressed.
Update: COVID-19 System Transition work
1982
20. The  Chair  invited  Carol  Douglass  to  provide  an  update  on  the  COVID-19  System
Transition work.
21. Carol updated the CCB that the plan for the coming week is to understand which roles
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may transition to the receiving agencies and the transfer of supplier contracts. It was noted
that CCB should retain oversight of the transition of the policy and strategy function given
the need to ensure all-of government views were incorporated into advice.
COVID-19 Response Measures and assurance of readiness
22. The Chair invited Amber Bill to provide an update on work undertaken to document the
measures which have been used to manage New Zealand’s response to COVID-19.
23. This is an important resource for Chief Executives to support their agencies readiness to
respond to future variants of concern.
24. The  importance  of  an  integrated  response was  underlined.  Regular  tabletop exercises
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would be useful to support system integration.
COVID-19 Transition – Success and Risk Framework
25. The Chair briefly noted the Success and Risk Framework, which the CCB has canvassed
in previous discussions. CCB members were asked to continue to consider risks.
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COVID-19 Transition – Legal Framework
26. The Chair invited Alice Hume to provide an update on the future of the COVID-19 legal
the
framework. Alice told the Board that Ministers made the decision in July in the Post-Winter
Strategy paper for the direction of travel for the COVID-19 response: namely to provide for
a  disease  agnostic  emergency  epidemic  legislative  framework  to  ensure  the  right
legislative powers and instruments are available to support our medium and longer-term
management of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. The Minister has subsequently
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made the decision to extend the COVID-19 Public Health Response Act (COVID-19 Act),
and  DPMC  have  provided  the  Minister  with  initial  advice  on  how  to  extend  the  Act,
including recommendations of timelines. The Minister has indicated a preference for a two-
year extension.
27. DPMC are preparing a Cabinet paper for consideration by the Social Wellbeing Committee
on the 14th of September for the Minister’s preferred option.
28. A discussion was had on the interim changes that were required to legislation in the case
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of an extension to the current COVID-19 Act.
Minutes and Action Points
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29. The Chair thanked Christine Stevenson for clarification on last meeting’s minutes and
closed the actions on the Action Log.
30. The Chair noted the next meeting will take place in either four weeks, or if necessary, in
two weeks. The Chair will confirm with CCB membership closer to the date if this meeting
will be called.
Meeting ended 9:35am
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COVID-19 Chief Executives Board Minutes
Date
06 September 2022
Time
1500 to 1545
Venue
MS Teams
Attendance
CCB members
1982
Tony Lynch (Chair)
DPMC
Brook Barrington
DPMC
Andrew Kibblewhite
MoJ
Christine Stevenson
NZCAct
Debbie Power
MSD
Glenn Webber
Te Arawhiti
Carolyn Tremain
MBIE
Dr Diana Sarfati
MoH
Dr Andrew Old
MoH
Bryan Dunne
PSC
John Beaglehole
TSY
Stuart Horne
MFAT
Apologies
Chris Seed
MFAT
Una Jagose
Crown Law
Caralee McLeish
TSY
Ruth Fairhall
DPMC
Information
Mac Leauanae
MPP
Peter Hughes
PSC
In attendance
Aaron Wright
DPMC
Alice Hume
DPMC
Jessica Gorman
Crown Law
Carol Douglass
DPMC
Official
Hayden Glass
DPMC
Paul Ballantyne
DPMC
Jack Manning
DPMC
the
Agenda and apologies
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Meeting STARTS: 3:00PM
1. Tony Lynch, Chair of the COVID-
participants.
Update: Epidemic notice
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2. The Chair invited Dr Diana Sarfati to speak to provide the CCB with an update on the
epidemic notice.
3. Diana provided an update: MOH considers we are in a transition period, with cases and
hospitalisations tracking downwards. A discussion was had on the requirement threshold
for an epidemic notice to be renewed, the appetite of the Government to retain protective
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measures in the short term, and the disruption that would be caused by lifting measures.
Public health advice will be to extend the epidemic  notice for 4-5 weeks, followed by a
Public Health Risk Assessment (PHRA).
4. This PHRA will inform  advice  that either  all  COVID-19  requirements  will  be  lifted,  or  a
section 8(c) order could be made by the Prime Minister allowing orders to be made. Crown
Law has been involved in the drafting of these orders.
5. Christine Stevenson provided an update on the New Zealand Traveller Declaration.
6. A discussion was also had on the economic impact of COVID-19 response decisions, and
of the COVID-19 Protection Framework creates  1982
for international tourism and business.
7. Note: Glenn Webber joined 3:20 pm.
Act
Update: Post-Winter Strategy Cabinet paper
8. The Chair invited Alice Home to speak to the CCB on the Post-Winter Strategy Cabinet
paper.
9. Alice provided an update:
9.1.
The post-winter strategy paper was considered at SWC on 31 September and
at Cabinet on 5 September, with in principle decisions made.
9.2.
Final decisions will be made at Cabinet on 12 September. This is a significant
move with implications across public communications.
10. A discussion was had on the options provided to Cabinet, and the role of self-isolation for
Information
cases  and contacts, the  border,  and mask  and vaccine mandates  and  guidance.  Many
measures will transition from
to
.
11. Alice  outlined  the  engagement  undertaken  with
on the proposed upcoming  changes and on the release of
briefings relating to the actions taken to address the findings and recommendations of the
Waitangi
Haumaru report.
Official
12. Agreement has also been sought to give airlines notice of the decisions taken by Cabinet.
COVID-19 Community Panel,
the
13.
-19 Community Paper and encouraged
members to look at findings and commentary from Sarah Sparks.
Update: DPMC COVID-19 Group Transition
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14. The  Chair invited  Carol Douglass  to  provide  an  update  to  the  CCB on  the  COVID-19
Transition.
15. Carol provided an update:  Due diligence  discussions with receiving agencies are going
well. Work is underway on clarifying the appropriation transfers sought. It is looking likely
that some functions could move to the Public Health Agency of the Ministry of Health in
October, following Ministers decisions.
16. DPMC  is  drafting  the  briefing  to  Ministers with  powers  to  act  on  the  DPMC  COVID-19
Group  transition and  working  closely  with  receiving  agencies  and  the  Treasury in  this
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process. At this stage, the briefing to Ministers will be provided at the end of September.
17. ACTION: Distribute draft briefing to Ministers with powers to act on the DPMC COVID-19
Group transition to CCB members for the 20th September meeting.
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Minutes and action points
18. Minutes of 6 September CCB meeting agreed
19. The Chair proposed that the CCB go ahead with its scheduled meeting on the 20th of
September.
Meeting ENDS: 3:35PM
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Distribute draft briefing to Ministers with powers
06
to act on the DPMC COVID-19 Group transition 20
DPMC /
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September
September
to CCB members for the 20th September
Secretariat
2022
2022
meeting.
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COVID-19 Chief Executives Board Minutes
Date
20 September 2022
Time
0830 to 0930
Venue
MS Teams
Attendance
CCB members
1982
Tony Lynch (Chair)
DPMC

Brook Barrington
DPMC
Rajesh Chhana
MoJ

Christine Stevenson
NZC
Debbie Power
MSD

Kelly Dunn
Te Arawhiti
Act
Dr Andrew Old
MoH

Dr Diana Sarfati
MoH
John Beaglehole
TSY

Bryan Dunne
PSC
Ruth Fairhall
DPMC

Stuart Horne
MFAT
Apologies
Chris Seed
MFAT

Carolyn Tremain
MBIE
Caralee McLeish
TSY

Andrew Kibblewhite
MoJ
Mac Leauanae
MPP

Glenn Webber
Te Arawhiti
Information
Peter Hughes
PSC

In attendance
Margie Apa
Te Whatu Ora
Alice Hume
DPMC
Aaron Wright
DPMC

Paul Ballantyne
DPMC
Official
Richard Schmidt
DPMC

Carol Douglass
DPMC
Jack Manning
DPMC

Katrina Casey
DPMC
Julie Knauf
DPMC

Hamish Rogers
DPMC
the

Hayden Glass
DPMC

Rae Nathan
DPMC

Agenda and apologies
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Meeting STARTS: 8:30AM
1.  Tony Lynch, Chair of the COVID-19 Chief Executives’ Board (the Board), welcomed
participants.
Roundtable: Update on the COVID-19 Response
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2.  Debbie Power  provided an update on the Care in the Community work programme.
Updated guidance has been provided to community providers in light of the retiring of the
COVID-19 Protection Framework. MSD will provide advice to Ministers on funding options
for Care in the Community.
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3.  Christine Stevenson provided an update on the New Zealand Travel Declaration, including
recent advice to the Minister on the future of the NZTD. Christine also provided an update
on the operations of border agencies and the volume of air travel, which are expected to
recover to pre-COVID-19 levels.
4.  Ruth Fairhall provided an update on the Al -of-Government work programme. A Cabinet
paper regarding the long-term legislative framework for managing COVID-19 is currently
out for ministerial consultation, and wil  be presented to the Social Wellbeing Cabinet
Commit ee next week.
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Update: Post-Winter Announcement
5.  The Chair invited Alice Hume to provide an update to the Board on the Post-Winter
Announcement.
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6.  Since the announcement from the Prime Minister and Minister for COVID-19 Response
last week, discomfort across vulnerable communities has been noted. Consultation with
Treaty partners such as the National Iwi Chairs Forum  has taken place ahead of
announcements on a no surprises basis.
7.  The Public Health Risk Assessments informs the evidence base critical to providing
informed advice to Ministers. A discussion was had on how these Assessments fit into the
decision making process.
Update: DPMC COVID-19 Group Transition
Information
8.  The Chair invited Carol Douglass to provide an update on the COVID-19 Group Transition
work.
9.  Carol spoke to the Draft Briefing to Ministers with powers to act on the Group Transition,
including the timeline for the transfer of specific functions. A discussion was had on the
process of transferring contracts from DPMC to other agencies, and how capability is
retained during transition.
Official
Process for renewal of the epidemic notice
the
10. The Chair invited Alice Hume to update the Board on the process to renew the epidemic
notice before 20 October.
11. Alice noted that the Minister for COVID-19 Response has received advice on the process
for renewal and outlined the proposed timetable.
Meeting ENDS: 9:12AM
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COVID-19 Chief Executives Board Minutes
Date
11 October 2022
Time
0830 to 0930
Venue
MS Teams
Attendance
CCB members
1982
Tony Lynch (Chair)
DPMC

Brook Barrington
DPMC
Andrew Kibblewhite
MoJ

Christine Stevenson
NZC
Debbie Power
MSD

Abba Fidow
MPP Act
Dr Andrew Old
MoH

Dr Diana Sarfati
MoH
John Beaglehole
TSY

Bryan Dunne
PSC
Oliver Valins
MBIE

Una Jagose
Crown Law
Apologies
Chris Seed
MFAT

Carolyn Tremain
MBIE
Caralee McLeish
TSY

Mac Leauanae
MPP
Peter Hughes
PSC

Information
In attendance

Aaron Wright
DPMC

Alice Hume
DPMC
Fiona Weightman
DPMC

Carol Douglass
DPMC
Official
Jack Manning
DPMC

Rae Nathan
DPMC
Julie Knauf
DPMC

Hamish Rogers
DPMC

Hayden Glass
DPMC

the

Agenda and apologies

under
Meeting STARTS: 8:30AM
1.  Tony  Lynch, Chair of the COVID-19 Chief Executives’ Board (the Board), welcomed
participants.
Proposed COVID-19 Public Health Response legislation
2.  The Chair invited Alice Hume to provide an update to the Board on the proposal to continue
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some of the powers currently in the COVID-19 Public Health Response Act 2020 for two
years, to May 2025.
3.  Alice informed the Board that the Cabinet paper containing the proposal wil  be presented
to Cabinet on Monday the 17th of October, with the timing of the Bil  to be confirmed. A
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policy overview was provided, and a discussion of circumstances and thresholds for
reimplementing measures was held.
October review of COVID-19 settings
4.  The Chair invited Alice Hume and Dr Diana Sarfati to provide an update to the Board on
the October review of COVID-19 settings.
5.  The Public Health Risk Assessment is currently underway, and the COVID-19 Group are
working on a paper currently out for ministerial consultation on the review of COVID-19  1982
settings and the Epidemic Notice renewal. This paper wil  be lodged on Friday.
6.  The Board discussed the current mandates in place, the recommendations being made
regarding the Epidemic Notice, the role of the New Zealand Traveller Declaration, and the
impact of the use of powers on the populous.
Act

Update: DPMC COVID-19 Group Transition
7.  The Chair invited Carol Douglass to provide an update on the COVID-19 Group Transition
work.
8.  DPMC  have  received  approval from Ministers with Powers to Act for the Insights and
Reporting (including geospatial analysis and modelling) and Readiness, Response and
Planning functions to transition to the Ministry of Health by the end of October. DPMC will
now finalise the specific dates in October that the functions wil  officially transfer, noting
that handover discussions are already underway.    Information
9.  Ministers have agreed that Communications and Public Engagement wil  transition to the
Ministry of Health and Te Whatu Ora by the end of November. Some questions have been
raised about the level of funding for communications contracts for services, which DPMC
are responding to as a matter of urgency.
10. DPMC  are commencing due diligence discussions for the transfer of the policy and
strategy function to the Ministry of Health.  The intention is to have a draft briefing for
Official
consideration at a CCB meeting in early November.  DPMC wil  also provide a draft Terms
of Reference for the COVID Senior Of icials Commit ee which wil  be stood up once the
DPMC policy and strategy function has transitioned to the Ministry of Health.
the
Al  other business
11. The Chair proposed to reschedule the next meeting of the Board to Tuesday the 1st of
November at 8:30am.
under
Meeting ENDS: 9:09AM
Action
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Mtg date
Action
Due date
Responsibility
Distribute draft briefing to Ministers with powers
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to act on the DPMC COVID-19 Group transition  01/11/2022
DPMC
to CCB members for the 1st November meeting.
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1982
Act
Information
Official
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