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In a March 20 document, top health officials recommended that New Zealand go to Alert Level 2 and stay there for up to 30 days.
But just three days later, the government moved to level 3, and in another two days it went to level 4.
National Party health spokesman Michael Woodhouse said the government had no confidence.
“There are clear contradictions between what the government saw about its response and what they were saying to the New Zealand public,” he said.
“They need to explain why because the costs of that blockade, both from an economic perspective and also because of the number of people with health problems that are not related to [Covid-19] it’s growing day by day. “
The government proactively dumped hundreds of documents Friday night, and in an email obtained by RNZ, the prime minister’s office gagged his ministers by telling them not to interview.
“He shows a cynical disregard for the process and scoffs at his claim to be open and transparent,” Woodhouse said.
“The idea that ministers don’t face a lot of information being released is incredible to me.”
The publication of more than 300 documents includes documents, minutes and advice for most sectors of the government from January to April 17.
One of the first documents dates to January 28, when a cabinet minute discussed a low risk for New Zealand but a potentially serious risk to public health.
Other official documents discuss decision-making focused on alert levels and restrictions, the border, public health, housing, income support, and foreign affairs.
