Wartime lessons about public health reflected on

• Published date: 27 April 2021

The former Blue Mountain College head girl (1981) was appointed Ministry of Health Covid-19 response deputy chief executive in July last year.

She spoke to the 400-strong crowd at the service, which included Tapanui’s sole surviving World War 2 veteran Bill Roulston.

Mrs Gordon said there was one story of World War 1 that did not receive much attention but had a significant effect on individuals and communities across New Zealand.

‘‘It is the story of the Spanish or Black Flu pandemic of 1918-19,’’ Mrs Gordon said.

‘‘This epidemic was a major killer.

‘‘Best estimates put the death toll from this pandemic at about 50million worldwide — nearly three times that of the soldiers who died in World War 1.

The disease was brought back to New Zealand by returning troops and dignitaries.

‘‘Once this pandemic took hold, we lost 9000 New Zealanders in six weeks.’’

It particularly affected people aged 20 to 45.

‘‘So many of our returning soldiers and their families were doubly impacted by this disease.’’

While it was a dark time in the nation’s history, much had been learned from the way the pandemic was dealt with due to the research completed by University of Canterbury professor Geoffrey Rice.

‘‘The Ministry of Health’s pandemic plan acknowledged the learning that has come from his extensive research and were part of the ministry response to Covid-19,’’ Mrs Gordon said.

‘‘For me, remembering and ensuring we are learning from these critical events in our history embody the spirit of Anzac.’’

In October 1918, as the troop ships arrived, New Zealand officials decided quarantine was not necessary.

However, by November 1, Auckland was shut down by widespread illness.

People were told to take care of themselves.

‘‘There were no or limited social services as all public services were struck down with staff falling ill.’’

A week later, all public gatherings in Auckland were banned and schools were closed.

The Ministry of Health banned issuing death statistics, fearing they would create more harm, but rumour and speculation took over.

The flu spread as soldiers returned home.

Strong local leadership made a difference as to how badly communities were affected, Mrs Gordon said.

‘‘Wellington was slow to lock down and suffered for it.

‘‘Canterbury and Otago had strong local leadership, and this helped to reduce the impact of the epidemic.’’

Recalling what happened last year and the rapid decisions that were made, it was possible to see how the lessons from the past had been...