The Covid Response: A Scientist’s Account of New Zealand’s Pandemic and What Comes Next

by Shaun Hendy

In March 2020, New Zealand had three confirmed cases of COVID-19, panic buying had begun, and no one knew what to expect next. Had the virus run the same course as it did in the US and UK, by March 2023 there would have been more than 17,000 fatalities. Instead, Aotearoa achieved one of the lowest health burdens in the world, while enduring fewer restrictions than almost any other country in the OECD. How did we get here? And at what cost?
In The Covid Response, Shaun Hendy offers an insider’s account of New Zealand’s science-driven strategy for confronting the global pandemic. As his team at Te Pūnaha Matatini springs into action, he takes us behind the scenes in real time. He unpacks the science informing rapid, high-stakes decisions, evaluating the costs of those decisions and asking what lessons they offer for the future.

Genres: Nonfiction, Health

349 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2025

About the author

Shaun Cameron Hendy MNZM FRSNZ is a New Zealand physicist. He is the chief scientist at climate innovation company Toha. He was previously a professor at the University of Auckland and was the first director of Te Pūnaha Matatini, a centre of research excellence in complex systems and data analytics. During the COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand, he led a team of scientists developing mathematical models of the spread of the virus across the country that influenced the government's response to the outbreak.

Abridged from Wikipedia

Reviews

[Livia Wren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written, comprehensive, and presented in a way that shows deep respect and consideration to others. I really enjoyed this review, and it reminded me of many things I'd forgotten from the lockdowns and response - despite the fact I was one of the people working through a good portion of it!

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book really interesting. My respect for scientists grew as I read of Shaun Hendy's work with his team. It is written in a narrative style that brings the ordinary reader in. I wouldn't say I understood everything but it made me remember those covid days. While I remember some on the media calls for some reason I can't recall Shaun Hendy's face. I was sad that these scientists took so much flak from those filled with misinformation and disinformation. I appreciated the importance of reaching Maori in such a pandemic and preparation beforehand. The book has made me even more cautious of media as they spin their own opinions around things. They really don't always have the right end of the situation. I was sad to see that New Zealand government no longer has a chief science advisor. Very shortsighted. And science in health should be funded far more. While this book explores the New Zealand journey, other countries are mentioned often and I think anyone in the world could read this and reflect. As Henry says another pandemic will happen. Are we ready?

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very good read - captures the chronology of the covid response focusing on the modelling perspective, and illustrates the power of an interdisciplinary team working on a real problem in real time, plus the dedication of the individual scientists.