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New Zealand is free of COVID-19
Joe Stockman, who worked on the country’s COVID-19 response, describes how decisiveness, a successful communications strategy, a committed civil service and a degree of luck enabled it to return quickly to normal life.
New Zealand has (twice) effectively eliminated COVID-19, and is heading into a summer of BBQs, musical festivals, and packed cricket stadiums in stark contrast to the winter of discontent gripping Europe and the UK. How did this ill-prepared Pacific island nation beat the virus? By acting decisively, communicating clearly, being a little lucky, and by taking advantage of a particular strength.
The pandemic was on track to overwhelm the health system and cause thousands of deaths.
New Zealand had no choice but to enter a stringent nationwide lockdown.This was the first key step towards New Zealand’s success. Leaders accepted that the country was ill-prepared, and that the health system couldnt withstand the coming onslaught.
New Zealand’s approach was a perfect expression of the Mayfields’ model of communication – direction giving; meaning making; and empathy.
Seven weeks later lockdown lifted, and New Zealand began to emerge into a new normal. After 103 days COVID-19 had been eliminated. Polling at the end of lockdown showed remarkably high levels of public trust in government, social cohesion, and a growing sense of national pride.
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