Transparency and accountability must not be lost in the haste to respond to COVID-19. Trust is a commodity that is vital to New Zealand's economic recovery in both domestic and export markets. Here are practical steps for businesses to take now while dealing with COVID-19 and preparing for after.

We consider it important that agencies are aware of, and meet, the expectations set out in the Rules of Procurement and the Quick guide to emergency procurement. We would encourage you to remind all public sector leaders of their accountability.

We need to consider how we continue to respond to this pandemic in the weeks, months and years ahead, ensuring that the rights of people are protected. Our vulnerable populations are very much at risk.

As we focus on protecting everyone’s health and well-being from this unprecedented global virus, we are made acutely aware of life and death and the ways in which we manage the transition from one to the other. ...consider the voices we are losing, the stories that make up our collective memory and how we might “protect, record and cherish them, while we still have a chance."

New Zealand needs to address long-standing open government engagement and content issues in its next Open Government Partnership National Action Plan. The government and the public need to work together to resolve these issues so that more New Zealanders participate in New Zealand’s democracy.

Times of crisis bring out the very best of nearly everyone. Unfortunately it also brings out the few who look at this as a time of opportunity. From small scale scams on individuals to misuse of billions earmarked for aid, this is a time of great risk. There are lots of warnings, let's heed them.

Transparency and expertise provides a basis for optimism of a staged return to a more normal lifestyle.

What we have through epidemiology is an excellent compass, but we need a sextant - our population sampling expertise - to tell us where we are at. Without this, we are uncertain about our starting point or where we will end up.

While the publication of the NZ procurement data by MBIE is to be applauded, the quality and completeness of the data available continues to fall well short of genuine transparency. There is plenty of room for improvement.

COVID-19 is a virus on the march. China has shown that while it may not be stopped, this is a march that can be controlled. The virus can be controlled in New Zealand with transparency and accountability.

Colombia’s government has, throughout the last decade, passed legislation, implemented technology and created a set of institutions that let citizens know what the government is up to. The publication of open data has given its citizens a better understanding of government initiatives that used to be known only by headlines.

If last week's Open Government Partnership Fourth National Action Plan workshop is any indication, New Zealand's next plan will be the same as the last three, full of activities that are either ‘business as usual’ that should have occurred anyway, or  ‘side projects’ delivered on a wing-and-a-prayer.