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Our role in a pandemic
The Ministry of Health is the lead agency for planning for and responding to pandemics on a national scale.
Health districts and their public health units are responsible for leading the planning and response to a pandemic at the local and regional level.
The Ministry of Health has developed plans, policies and guidance to support the health and disability sector to fulfil their responsibilities in a pandemic.
New Zealand Pandemic Plan
The New Zealand Pandemic Plan: A framework for action is intended for anyone involved in planning for or responding to a pandemic caused by respiratory-type pathogens. It also provides general information on pandemics and government planning for the New Zealand public.
The plan details the specific roles and responsibilities of the health and disability sector in planning and response, and outlines the actions that need to be considered at each phase of a pandemic.
New Zealand Pandemic Plan: A Framework for Action (2024)
Related policies
National Reserve Supplies Management and Usage Policies
The National Reserve Supplies Usage Policy document provides some details about New Zealand's national reserves of health supplies for use in health emergencies, and outlines policies for their use.
National Health Emergency Plan: National Reserve Supplies Management and Usage Policies
H5N1 Pre-Pandemic Vaccine Usage Policy
The H5N1 Pre-Pandemic Vaccine Usage Policy document provides some details about New Zealand's supply of this vaccine, and outlines policies for its use.
National Health Emergency Plan: H5N1 Pre-Pandemic Vaccine Usage Policy.
Other guidance
National Laboratory Guidelines for Pandemic Influenza
The National Laboratory Guidelines for Pandemic Influenza are intended for use by health professionals and laboratory staff to ensure safe handling and collection of human specimens for diagnosis of influenza with pandemic potential.
National Laboratory Guidelines for Pandemic Influenza
Getting Through Together: Ethical Values for a Pandemic
Getting Through Together: Ethical Values for a Pandemic is guidance from the National Ethics Advisory Committee on ethical values for a pandemic. The emphasis is given to using shared values to assist people to care for themselves, their whānau and their neighbours, and using shared values to make decisions in situations of overwhelming demand
Getting Through Together: Ethical Values for a Pandemic
New Zealand Aotearoa Pandemic Response Policy for Aged Residential Care
The purpose of the New Zealand Aotearoa Pandemic Response Policy for Aged Residential Care is to provide nationally consistent guidance for aged residential care (ARC) stakeholders to prepare for, prevent and respond to an epidemic or pandemic.The policy is principle-based and designed to be tailored to local environments.
New Zealand Aotearoa Pandemic Response Policy for Aged Residential Care
Six Principles for Safe Visiting and Social Activities in Aged Residential Care
This publication supports rest home providers in the development of policies and procedures that enable safe visiting, social activities and outings in the context of viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2 which causes COVID-19. These six principles are underpinned by the recognition that ARC facilities are residents’ homes. ARC facilities are expected to align their local policies and procedures with these Principles.
Six Principles for Safe Visiting and Social Activities in Aged Residential Care.
Publications
- National Health Emergency Plan: National Reserve Supplies Management and Usage Policies
- National Health Emergency Plan: H5N1 Pre-Pandemic Vaccine Usage Policy
- National Laboratory Guidelines for Pandemic Influenza
- Getting Through Together: Ethical Values for a Pandemic
- New Zealand Aotearoa Pandemic Response Policy for Aged Residential Care
- Six Principles for Safe Visiting and Social Activities in Aged Residential Care
