18 May 2020

WHO Covid-19 inquiry about learning, not blame - Ardern

From Checkpoint, 5:21 pm on 18 May 2020

New Zealand is being urged to tread carefully, as it backs an international inquiry into the Covid-19 outbreak.

The World Health Assembly is meeting virtually to discuss the next steps in tackling the pandemic - and all members are expected to unanimously endorse an independent review of the international health response.

Australia and the European Union have been pushing for the inquiry - a move that has seen trade tensions between Australia and China rise.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says the investigation is about looking at what happened, and what lessons can be learned - not finger pointing.

But the Opposition says this is a delicate balance that the government will need to manage.

Political reporter Yvette McCullough has more.