The first public hearings into New Zealand's Covid response get underway today - with a focus on lockdowns and vaccines.

It is the first time submissions will be heard publicly, with the sessions live-streamed.

This week's hearings particularly concentrate on the impact of the extended lockdown in Auckland and Northland in 2021 and on vaccine mandates and safety.

In a minute issued on the Inquiry's website chair Grant Illingworth KC said that would include the effect on "social division and isolation, health and education, and business activity.

"We will also hear from experts about the key decisions and their consequences, and lessons to be learned from what happened."

The hearings would be in secure hearing rooms, with commissioners, witnesses, lawyers and media present.

There was no provision for public attendance beyond those submitting but the live streams would run and be available as recordings as well, the minute said.

Witnesses would be questioned by lawyers helping the inquiry, and commissioners could ask questions.

A second public hearing was due next month in Wellington.

That was to hear from key decisions makers who "led and informed" the government's response to the pandemic.

This Royal Commission was set up under the previous Labour government, but its brief was expanded under the current government, with Illingworth taking the chairing role.

A report from the first phase was delivered last year.

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