When travelling: 

• Wash your hands often with soap and water.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes, throw used tissues away and then wash your hands.
• Keep your distance from others.

If you feel unwell, stay in your accommodation and call a doctor for advice.

If you want to talk to someone about your symptoms, call the National coronavirus and COVID-19 vaccine helpline on 1800 020 080. Calls are free from Australia, and you can call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

There is an Australia-wide contact tracing app, but most states and territories use their own apps. Download and use the app for wherever you are to keep yourself, your whānau and the communities you’re visiting safe.

You can download and use most of these apps with a New Zealand SIM card. You may need an Australian SIM card or Australian contact details to use some of these apps.

We recommend you keep the apps on your phone for up to 1 month, in case you receive an alert after you've left the state.

If you cannot or choose not to use an app, make sure you sign in to businesses and venues with their alternative contact tracing system. 

If you cannot or choose not to use these apps, you need to to sign in to businesses and venues with their alternative contact tracing system.

If you wish, you can also keep track of where you’ve been with your own pen and paper, a photo record or you could take a copy of the NZ COVID Tracer booklet with you.

Follow the guidance for the state you’re in

Each state or territory has its own rules, for example for gatherings, physical distancing, face coverings, testing and travel.

Check the website of the state you’re in to find out what you need to do when you’re there.

We are on track to deliver more than 1 million Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine doses to people in our priority groups by the end of June.

Rollout to Group 3 starts in late May and includes people aged 65+, and people with underlying medical conditions.  

This estimate is based on DHB reporting and is published in the weekly data updates on the online vaccination dashboard on the Ministry of Health website.  

In the last 24 hours, 7,695 doses have been given. First doses of the vaccine have been given to 34,378 people in the past week.  

Vaccine and testing requirements for MIQ workers

By 1 May, all Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ) workers will have had at least a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.  

Around 88.5 percent of MIQ workers have accepted a vaccination. 513 of a total workforce of 4,497 have not yet been vaccinated. Of these 513, around 25 percent are already booked to get a first dose. This will take the number of MIQ workers who have received at least one dose to comfortably above 90 percent. 

In addition to MIQ workers, all front-facing Immigration NZ staff have now either completed their vaccination course or are awaiting their second dose. 

All relevant border workers have an obligation to report for testing and be tested for COVID-19. By 1 May 2021, it will be mandatory for all employers to record their testing data on one central register.  

Most commonly asked vaccine questions

Can I get a vaccine if I have underlying health conditions/can I get the vaccine early?

At this stage, people with some underlying health conditions will be offered the vaccine as part of Group 3 (starting May 2021). Health conditions include, at this stage:

• Serious and chronic respiratory conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Chronic kidney/renal disease
• Diabetes
• Coronary heart conditions
• Stroke
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Cancer, excluding basal and squamous skin cancers if not invasive.

Further guidelines on the eligibility of people with underlying health conditions for access to COVID-19 vaccines will be coming out soon.

Resources

Where to find trustworthy information about vaccines:

Unite Against COVID-19

Vaccine information from Unite Against COVID-19

Ministry of Health

Vaccine information from the Ministry of Health.

The Immunisation Advisory Centre (IMAC)

IMAC is a nationwide organisation based at the School of Population Health at The University of Auckland. It provides independent, factual information based on international and New Zealand scientific research about vaccine-preventable diseases the benefits and risks of immunisation. 

Vaccine information from IMAC.

During this period the Government will investigate options to manage the risk associated with arrivals from countries with high levels of COVID-19.
This is a temporary pause until New Zealand is better able to manage the current situation.

The 'Travel Bubble' with Australia is set to begin from midnight April 18. 

for more; www covid19.govt.nz

There is a risk that bands of rain or possible thunderstorms could become slow
moving over areas, producing downpours of 25 to 40 mm per hour.
Rainfall of this intensity can cause surface and/or flash flooding, especially
about low-lying areas such as streams, rivers or narrow valleys, and may also
lead to slips.
Driving conditions will also be hazardous with surface flooding and poor
visibility in heavy rain.
Note: A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are favourable for severe
thunderstorms in and close to the watch area. People in these areas should be on
the lookout for threatening weather conditions and monitor for possible Severe
Thunderstorm Warnings.

Ninety-five percent of the border and MIQ workforce have had their first dose and a significant number have now had their second dose.

41,500 doses of the vaccine have been administered and more than 1300 vaccinators have completed the Pfizer vaccine training.

By Tuesday 30 March 2021, nearly 50 vaccination clinics will be open.

This means the focus will shift toward  high-risk frontline healthcare workers. This group includes staff who have direct contact with patients, including people who potentially have COVID-19 and/or are working with potential COVID-19 samples.

For more information on when you can get your vaccine and what group you are in, go to the Unite Against COVID-19 website.

As at 8:09pm this evening, the Metservice has advised that the severe thunderstorm watch for the Bay of Plenty has been lifted.

Here are four simple things we can all do to keep each other safe:

1. Scan QR codes

2. Turn on Bluetooth tracing

3. Stay home if you’re sick

4. Wash your hands

Visit the NZ Government Covid-19 website for more updates.  www.covid19.govt.nz

Friday 05 March 2021 3:45pm

This message is current and replaces all/any previous messages for this event.

The advice from GNS Science, based on ocean observations, is that the Beach and Marine threat has now passed for all areas.

Strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges will continue for up to another 24 hours. People should remain vigilant and take extra precautions with regards to beach and ocean activities.

Friday Mar 5 2:55pm

The threat level is now downgraded to a Beach and Marine threat. It is now safe to return home.

Tsunami Activity remains within the marine environment. We can still expect STRONG AND UNUSUAL CURRENTS AND UNPREDICTABLE SURGES AT THE SHORE. People MUST stay out of the water (sea, rivers and estuaries). STAY OFF beaches and shore areas. There's a danger to swimmers, surfers, people fishing, small boats and anyone in or near the water close to shore. For more information visit www.civildefence.govt.nz

Issued 1:15pm 05 March 2021

This message is current and replaces all/any previous messages for this event.

GNS Science has advised that the largest waves have now passed, and therefore the threat level is now downgraded to a Beach and Marine threat for all areas which were previously under Land and Marine threat.

All people who evacuated can now return.

The advice remains, for all areas under Beach and Marine threat, to stay off beach and shore areas.

National Warning: Tsunami Threat Message No.2

Issued 9:45am 05 March 2021

This message is current and replaces all/any previous messages for this event.

This is a Tsunami Warning for New Zealand coastal areas following the magnitude 8.1 earthquake near KERMADEC ISLANDS REGION.

There is a LAND and MARINE TSUNAMI THREAT. An Emergency Mobile Alert has been issued to the areas under land and marine tsunami threat. Listen to local civil defence authorities and follow any instructions regarding evacuation of your area. https://www.civildefence.govt.nz/

AREAS UNDER LAND AND MARINE WARNING:

Coastal inundation (flooding of land areas) is expected in the following areas:

 The West Coast of the North Island from CAPE REINGA to AHIPARA.

The East Coast of the North Island from CAPE REINGA to WHANGAREI, from MATATA to TOLAGA BAY including Whakatane and Opotiki.

And GREAT BARRIER ISLAND.

Strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges near the shore are expected in the following areas. This means a threat to beach, harbour, estuary and small boat activities.

The West Coast of the North Island from AHIPARA to MAKARA including the West Coast of Auckland, Manukau Harbour, New Plymouth, Whanganui and the Kapiti Coast.

The East Coast of the North Island from WHANGAREI to MATATA including Whangarei, the East Coast of Auckland, Waiheke Island, Waitemata Harbour and Tauranga, from TOLAGA BAY to LAKE FERRY including Gisborne and Napier.

The West and South Coasts of the South Island from FAREWELL SPIT to PUYSEGUR POINT including Westport, Greymouth and Hokitika.

The top of the South Island from FAREWELL SPIT to PORT UNDERWOOD including Nelson, Picton and the Marlborough Sounds.

The East and South Coasts of the South Island from the WAIPARA RIVER to the RAKAIA RIVER including Christchurch and Banks Peninsula, from the TAIERI RIVER to PUYSEGUR POINT including Invercargill.

And STEWART ISLAND.

And the CHATHAM ISLANDS.

There is no tsunami threat in all other areas.

The first waves may reach New Zealand in the areas around Lottin Point at approximately 9:49am New Zealand Daylight Time.

The severity of currents and surges will vary within a particular coastal area and over the period this warning is in effect.

The first wave may not be the largest. Tsunami activity will continue for several hours and the threat must be regarded as real until this warning is cancelled.

 People in all New Zealand coastal areas should:

1. Listen to the radio and/or TV for updates, or check www.civildefence.govt.nz
2. Listen to local Civil Defence authorities and follow any instructions regarding evacuation of your area
3. Stay out of the water (sea, rivers and estuaries, this includes boats)
4. Stay off beaches and shore areas
5. Do not go sightseeing
6. Share this information with family, neighbours and friends

Evacuation advice overrides the current COVID-19 Alert Level requirements. Listen to local Civil Defence authorities and follow any instructions regarding evacuation of your area. If you are told to evacuate do not stay at home. Stay 2 metres away from others if you can and if it is safe to do so. 

Only messages issued by the National Emergency Management Agency represent the official warning status for New Zealand. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) messages do not represent the official warning status for New Zealand.

This warning will remain in effect until a cancellation message is issued by the National Emergency Management Agency

National Warning: Tsunami Threat

Message No: 1

Issued 08:45 05 March 2021

*** THIS IS THE THIRD EARTHQUAKE THIS MORNING ***

This is a Tsunami Warning for coastal areas following the magnitude 8.0 earthquake north-east of New Zealand near KERMADEC ISLANDS REGION.

AREAS UNDER THREAT: People near the coast in the following areas must MOVE IMMEDIATELY to the nearest high ground, out of all tsunami evacuation zones, or as far inland as possible. DO NOT STAY AT HOME

The East Coast of the North Island from the BAY OF ISLANDS to WHANGAREI, from MATATA to TOLAGA BAY including Whakatane and Opotiki,

And GREAT BARRIER ISLAND.

These areas are indicated in the enclosed map. The earthquake may not have been felt in some of these areas, but evacuation should be immediate as a damaging tsunami is possible.

PEOPLE IN ALL OTHER AREAS who felt a LONG OR STRONG earthquake that made it hard to stand up, or lasted longer than a minute, should MOVE IMMEDIATELY to the nearest high ground, out of all tsunami evacuation zones, or as far inland as possible.

Evacuation advice overrides the current COVID-19 Alert Level requirements. Listen to local Civil Defence authorities and follow any instructions regarding evacuation of your area. If you are told to evacuate do not stay at home. Stay 2 metres away from others if you can and if it is safe to do so.

Do not return until an official all-clear message is given by Civil Defence.

Walk, run or cycle if at all possible to reduce the chances of getting stuck in traffic congestion.

The first wave may not be the largest. Tsunami activity will continue for several hours and the threat is real until this warning is cancelled.

The National Emergency Management Agency and GNS Science will continue to assess the threat and provide an update within an hour.

An Emergency Mobile Alert will be issued to all capable phones in the areas under threat. People who are near the coast in the AREAS UNDER THREAT listed above or near the coast and felt the earthquake LONG OR STRONG, should MOVE NOW. DO NOT WAIT for an Emergency Mobile Alert to your mobile phone, or local warnings.

People in all New Zealand coastal areas should:

1. Listen to the radio and/or TV for updates, and NZCivilDefence Twitter
2. Listen to local Civil Defence authorities
3. Stay out of the water (sea, rivers and estuaries, this includes boats)
4. Stay off beaches and shore areas
5. Do not go sightseeing
6. Share this information with family, neighbours and friends

Only messages issued by the National Emergency Management Agency represent the official warning status for New Zealand. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) messages do not represent the official warning status for New Zealand.

This warning will remain in effect until a cancellation message is issued by the National Emergency Management Agency.

Alert Level 2 means:

• Stay home if you are feeling unwell 
• Practise good hygiene 
• Keep track of where you have been 
• Use face coverings where you can't keep physical distance (and you MUST wear them on public transport)
• Gatherings under 100 people
• Work from home if you can

Read more about the Alert Levels and what they mean for you.