New Zealand Media's Focus During COVID-19: A Nationalist Perspective

A recent study conducted by the University of Otago reveals that New Zealand's news coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic was predominantly influenced by nationalist themes, emphasizing a focus on domestic issues and fostering a sense of nationwide unity. The research analyzed 1,300 articles from 19 newspapers between 2020 and mid-2022, uncovering four main themes that shaped the portrayal of the pandemic.

The first theme, "A Focus on Home," was prevalent in nearly 75% of articles, highlighting local economy, daily case numbers, and New Zealand's specific challenges while largely ignoring international perspectives. The second theme, "Team New Zealand," aimed to promote national cohesion through language that emphasized collective effort and unity.

The third theme, "Defending the Borders," often employed military-style language to depict the virus as an enemy threatening the nation, with discussions centered on border controls and quarantine measures. The fourth theme, "Us versus Them," involved creating divides between New Zealanders and others, fostering an 'in-group' versus 'out-group' mentality, which risked diminishing concern for global solidarity.

Lead author Emma Anderson, a Ph.D. candidate, notes that while a nationalist approach may have helped rally public support for health measures domestically, it also hindered international cooperation and global efforts, such as equitable vaccine distribution. This inward focus potentially prolonged the pandemic timeline worldwide.

The study suggests that media narratives during crises significantly influence public perception and policy. Anderson advocates for future health communications to emphasize collective humanity over nationalism, promoting greater global solidarity and effective responses to health emergencies.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-pandemic-nz-news-focused-home.html