Integrating Science into Policy: experiences during the pandemic

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic has posed enormous challenges to governments worldwide, but New Zealand’s government in particular has been praised for a science-based approach to decision making. In this article I review the way in which several scientific work streams were integrated into decision making and consider the advantages that this offered New Zealand’s response. As one of the scientists who was closely involved with this, I offer a personal perspective on how this came about and some observations for future crises.