A Duncan Garner podcast interview with investigator and publicist Aly Cook has reignited questions surrounding New Zealand's COVID-era decision making, transparency and what senior ministers knew during the rollout of COVID vaccinations for 12 to 15-year-olds.
By elocal New Zealand Desk
Source: Duncan Garner Podcast interview with Aly Cook, 26 May 2026
Cook outlined a document trail she says links senior ministers to a key August 2021 meeting during the youth vaccine rollout period. According to the discussion, the meeting had previously been described as either absent from records or not reflected in ministerial diaries.
The interview focused on official information requests, ministerial records, youth myocarditis information and questions surrounding informed consent.
Garner framed the issue directly:
"Hipkins has always said he didn't know until January. Right?"
Cook's response was equally direct:
"He was actually very, very privy to the fact."
Chapter 1: The Search for the August 2021 Meeting
Cook explained that her investigation began after reviewing documents released during the Royal Commission process.
She said attention was drawn to material surrounding the handling of safety information during the youth rollout.
"I got to the August 17 meeting where I found earlier it had been redacted and then it had been unredacted and it said they were going to withhold safety information relating to youth myocarditis rollout from public communications."
Cook said she then worked alongside Sue Gray using Official Information Act requests across multiple government departments.
Chapter 2: Diaries, Agendas and Missing Records
The interview moved into the issue of ministerial records and diaries.
Cook argued that official diaries and meeting records did not align with agendas later obtained.
"Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet were over here telling us it didn't happen and here's the diaries of Hipkins and Little and this meeting's not in there."
She then outlined what she says changed the investigation.
"The Ministry of Health said, here's the agenda for the meeting. Chris Hipkins chaired the meeting."
Cook argued that the focus became identifying who made decisions around public communication of youth myocarditis information.
"Who actually did that?"
Chapter 3: Informed Consent and Parents
The discussion then moved into the issue of informed consent.
Cook argued that withholding information fundamentally affects parental decision-making.
"If you have information withheld and you don't have all the information, then you don't have informed consent."
Garner responded by describing the issue as central to public trust.
"You're withholding vital health and safety information regarding a national rollout."
Cook also explained that her investigation has a personal dimension.
"I have a fully diagnosed vaccine injured son. They've hurt the wrong mother's son because I will not stop digging until I get to the truth."
Chapter 4: Questions Around Media Coverage
The interview also focused heavily on media response.
Cook, who said she has worked in publicity and media for decades, argued that the reaction has differed from what she would normally expect.
"Normally I would have sent out this information and they would have been clambering over me."
Instead she described what she called:
"Radio silence."
Garner added:
"I'm probably one of the only ones."
Chapter 5: Public Service Accountability
The discussion broadened beyond ministers and moved into the public service itself.
Cook questioned whether records had been altered or modified.
"Who's going in there and scrubbing diaries?"
Garner responded:
"This is what officers do though."
Cook argued that access logs and records could provide further information.
"I've gone back in with more OIAs."
Chapter 6: Royal Commission Questions and Pfizer Contract Secrecy
Toward the conclusion, the discussion moved to the Royal Commission and questions surrounding confidentiality arrangements.
Cook referred to comments made during discussions involving the Royal Commission process.
"There are issues around safety to do with the COVID response that I cannot talk about and you cannot talk about."
The discussion then shifted toward broader questions around contractual arrangements.
Garner stated:
"One has to wonder what was in the Pfizer contract."
Summary
The Duncan Garner interview focused on a broader question than one individual meeting.
The discussion centered on transparency, public trust and whether important information was fully communicated during one of the most significant public health events in New Zealand's history.
Cook repeatedly returned to one point:
"All we're looking for is the truth."
Video Chapters
00:00 Labour policy and vaccine transparency questions
01:00 Sponsor message and introducing Aly Cook
02:00 Unredacted documents and hidden ministerial diaries
05:00 Informed consent and the impact on Kiwi families
09:00 Public service accountability and the mainstream media's silence
12:00 Royal Commission gaps and the Pfizer contract secrecy