A person on board a cruise ship berthed at Akaroa in Canterbury is being tested for coronavirus COVID-19.
Passengers on board the Golden Princess are not being allowed off the ship, which arrived in the area on Sunday morning.
The ship's doctor has quarantined three passengers, with one of them showing COVID-19 symptoms.
The person is being treated as a "suspected case" and will be tested on Sunday, Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) says in a statement. Results are expected on Monday.
CDHB's Dr Ramon Pink says a precautionary approach is being taken.
"We realise this is disappointing news for other passengers and tourism/hospitality operators in Akaroa and Canterbury who were expecting to host the passengers today," he says.
"We cannot risk the potential further spread if this person tests positive."
More to come.
