New Zealand has taken a novel approach to ensuring public accountability during the pandemic. The Epidemic Response Committee has been established as a powerful Select Committee to hold the Government to account on its response to the coronavirus.

The Committee is chaired by the Leader of the Opposition, Simon Bridges and includes representatives of all parties. It meets via video conference and has been meeting three times a week, with the hearings livestreamed.

• https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/120526301/coronavirus-parliament-will-close-until-lateapril-replaced-with-simon-bridgeschaired-select-committee?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
• https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/sc/scl/epidemic-response/
• https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/the-house/audio/2018743030/powerful-or-powerless-what-can-the-epidemic-response-committee-do