Pre-Pandemic While misinformation and disinformation have long been present in New Zealand, the COVID-19 pandemic marked a significant turning point, exacerbating existing trends[1]. Delta Outbreak The arrival of the Delta variant in late 2021 led to a surge in disinformation, exceeding the levels seen during the entirety of the pandemic prior to that point[5]. Spread of Conspiracy Theories This surge was characterized by the rapid spread of conspiracy theories related to vaccines, government mandates, and other pandemic-related issues[1][5]. Racist and Violent Imagery The spread of misinformation also saw an increase in racist and violent imagery, intensifying the threat to social cohesion[1][5]. Social Media's Role The spread of disinformation was largely fueled by a small group of influential social media accounts, with researchers identifying a "disinformation dozen" of local Facebook accounts at the heart of the problem[6]. Threat to Democratic Processes The rise of misinformation not only undermined trust in institutions but also posed a threat to social cohesion and democratic processes in New Zealand[1][3]. Urgent Action Needed The situation has spurred a growing concern among experts and government officials about the need for urgent action to address misinformation and disinformation and strengthen societal resilience against its harmful effects[3][4]. Citations: [1] https://www.thedisinfoproject.org [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Disinformation_Project [3] https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/mediawatch/audio/2018801842/misinformation-concern-on-the-rise-says-report [4] https://www.dpmc.govt.nz/our-programmes/national-security/strengthening-resilience-disinformation [5] https://thespinoff.co.nz/the-bulletin/12-11-2021/nzs-disinformation-surge [6] https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2018842409/nz-s-disinformation-dozen