By Mike Bain/The Daily Examiner.

As New Zealand grapples with its latest measles case, the importance of pandemic preparedness takes center stage once again.

Health New Zealand (HNZ) has spent the past week tracking down hundreds of close contacts in Auckland, aiming to contain the virus before it spreads.

With only around 80 percent of Kiwis currently immune—falling short of the 95 percent threshold needed to prevent an outbreak—the risk remains significant.

The measles case, confirmed on 10 May and linked to overseas travel, is a sobering reminder of how easily infectious diseases can re-enter the country.

Measles is notoriously contagious, with up to 90 percent of non-immune individuals likely to contract the virus upon exposure. Already, HNZ has reached out to 286 close contacts, quarantining 78 individuals as a precaution.

Blood tests are pending for 19 people to determine their immunity, and the push for MMR vaccinations continues.

This unfolding situation in Auckland coincides with a pivotal moment for global health governance.

Next week, the World Health Assembly in Geneva will debate the Pandemic Treaty, a document designed to strengthen international cooperation and pandemic preparedness.

The Government will subject a draft Pandemic Treaty to a full National Interest Test before deciding whether or not New Zealand should sign up to it, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Health Minister Simeon Brown say.

The draft Treaty will be discussed at the annual meeting of the World Health Assembly in Geneva from next week.

“Decisions about how New Zealand responds to any health emergency are made in Wellington, not Geneva, and we are determined to preserve our sovereign decision-making ability,” Mr Peters says.

“While negotiations on the draft Treaty have been completed, there are a number of steps remaining – which are likely to take some years – before the New Zealand Government will take a decision on whether or not we should sign up.”

Mr Brown noted that, after three years of negotiation, the World Health Assembly next week would have the Pandemic Treaty presented to it for adoption.

“New Zealand supports the aim of strengthening global health systems and to improve pandemic preparedness and response,” Mr Brown says.

“This will also help New Zealand support our Pacific partners to better manage future pandemic responses in our region.”

Mr Peters says that it is very important to New Zealand that its sovereign decision making on health is protected.

“Any Treaty needs to confirm the sovereignty of countries to address public health matters within their borders and gives no power to the WHO or any other international body to direct, order, or change national laws or policies, or to direct countries to take specific actions, such as ban or accept travelers, impose vaccination mandates, or implement lockdowns.” Winston Peters.

“For these reasons, any future decision on whether or not to sign and ratify the Pandemic Treaty will be informed by a full National Interest Test.”

But as negotiations move toward adoption, concerns over national sovereignty remain.

Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Health Minister Simeon Brown have reaffirmed that New Zealand’s response to health emergencies must be made in Wellington, not Geneva.

While New Zealand supports the overall goal of improving pandemic preparedness, the Government insists that any treaty must protect its sovereign right to manage public health policies independently.

“Decisions about how New Zealand responds to health emergencies are made here, not dictated by an international body,” Peters stated.

“We are committed to ensuring that no treaty grants external organizations the authority to override our domestic policies.”

Brown emphasized the benefits of stronger global health coordination but underscored that any international agreement must serve New Zealand’s national interest.

The Government has pledged to conduct a full National Interest Test before deciding whether to sign and ratify the treaty—a process likely to take years.

While the measles case demonstrates how quickly infectious diseases can re-emerge, New Zealand remains firm in its stance: pandemic planning must reinforce sovereignty, not surrender it.

As the World Health Assembly convenes, all eyes will be on whether the treaty strikes a balance between international cooperation and national autonomy.