Bush was appointed to lead the operational arm of the COVID-19 All-of-Government Response Group on 23 March 2020[8] and continued to hold this role after retiring from the New Zealand Police in April 2020.

Tamati Kruger, acting as spokesman for Tūhoe, stated that the apology was well received by those present, however some iwi had declined to take part.

It was revealed that Bush had followed the correct process that included disclosing this conviction to the State Services Commission prior to his appointment as a Deputy Commissioner.

[16] Bush was a member of the State Services Commission panel that recommended the appointment of Wally Haumaha to a Deputy Commissioner role in June 2018.

Bush was warned against this appointment by senior officers including Mike Clements, given the historic comments made by Haumaha in regards to the investigation of alleged offences against Louise Nicholas.