In April 2025, Malcolm Welsford submitted a formal public statement to Te Tira Ārai Urutā – the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons Learned. This submission was created to contribute to the national conversation about public health governance, institutional accountability, and the long-term impact of the COVID-19 response.
It is written not in hostility, but in hope. That New Zealand can still lead—not in control, but in courage. Not in silence, but in truth.
View or download the complete submission PDF, including cover letter and detailed recommendations.
This 1-page document distills the submission into a briefing format suitable for MPs, media, and decision-makers.
💰 Reform Medsafe’s Funding Model (Shift to 80%+ public funding to reduce regulatory capture)
📜 Introduce a Pandemic Bill of Rights (Codify individual protections during emergency responses)
📊 Establish a National Adverse Events Dashboard (Transparent, real-time reporting of health outcomes)
🛡️ Protect Dissent and Conscientious Objection (Uphold democratic freedoms under emergency powers)
🧠 Require Mental Health Impact Assessments (Evaluate and mitigate psychological harm from restrictions)
— Malcolm Welsford, Submission to the Royal Commission